Fuel Shortage — Kremlin Takes Emergency Measures
Russia has begun sea shipments of gasoline from Morocco to stabilize the market amid a shortage caused by Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries. A tanker with 30,000 tons of AI-92 is unloading in Murmansk. Authorities are also importing fuel from Belarus and Kazakhstan and have banned exports. Production has fallen to 65% of summer levels.
Russia has started sea shipments of gasoline to stabilize its domestic market amid a fuel shortage caused by Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries. According to Reuters, a tanker flying the Panamanian flag loaded about 30,000 tons of AI-92 gasoline at the Moroccan port of Tangier in mid-July and is now unloading in Murmansk. The supplier was Lukoil, which did not respond to a request for comment. The St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange is already offering gasoline for rail transport from Kola station, indicating rapid distribution of fuel across regions. Authorities are also importing gasoline by rail from Belarus and Kazakhstan, have imposed a ban on fuel exports, and have organized sea shipments from India. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said in mid-July that the country would begin importing petroleum products to compensate for the shortage. In early July, Russian gasoline production fell to 65% of the average summer consumption level, leading to restrictions on fuel sales in several regions. Sea shipments are intended to quickly reduce pressure on the market after damage to key facilities.