RUSSIA TO SHIP FIRST DIESEL CARGO TO US ON THURSDAY AS IRAN WAR TIGHTENS GLOBAL SUPPLIES

Thu 22 October 2026:

Novak confirms 40,000-ton tanker departure amid Trump-Putin deal aimed at easing US fuel shortages ahead of midterms

Russia and the United States are finalizing contracts for diesel fuel deliveries, with the first tanker set to leave for the US on Thursday, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a Russia-China intergovernmental meeting in St. Petersburg, Novak said the vessel would carry 40,000 tons of Russian diesel. “The first tanker is scheduled to leave the port tomorrow, Oct. 22, for the United States,” he said.

__________________________________________________________________________

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22

__________________________________________________________________________

Hormuz disruptions drive demand for alternative supplies

The shipments form part of a broader effort to address elevated diesel prices in the United States and globally. The ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran, now in its 236th day, has repeatedly disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz through attacks on tankers, Iranian mine claims, and a US naval blockade. These actions have sharply reduced Middle East refined-product exports, with the International Energy Agency warning that diesel shortages could persist into 2027 and US inventories sitting at multi-year seasonal lows.

Further shipments will follow, Novak said, adding that Russia would meet US demand within its available supply capacity. He noted that the contracts were in the final stages of signing.

Exports ramping within refinery limits

Russia is gradually restoring diesel exports as refinery capacity allows, with shipments to other countries expected to increase toward the end of the year, he said. “We are not restoring exports to their full volume at present, but are operating within the capabilities of our refineries,” he said.

Novak said Russia could restore its full diesel export volumes by the end of the year, allowing other countries to resume receiving their previous supply volumes. Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump discussed petroleum product supplies during an Oct. 9 telephone conversation. Putin said Moscow was ready to supply oil and petroleum products to the US and global markets.

Novak previously said Russia was lifting diesel export restrictions earlier than planned and could supply 300,000 tons in October, 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons in December, potentially rising to 3 million tons per month over the longer term.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

__________________________________________________________________________

FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:

WhatsApp CHANNEL
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22