Several tankers carrying Russian diesel to the United States are reported to have changed course, one toward Brazil and another into the Mediterranean, according to marine tracking data, as New Jersey’s governor warned operators to turn away ships carrying the fuel and a Connecticut senator warned shipping companies against violating sanctions, despite temporary US authorization of Russian diesel transactions.
The tankers reportedly departed from the Baltic Sea port of Primorsk last month and had declared their destinations as the US east coast. Last month, President Donald Trump eased sanctions on Russian oil in a deal with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to secure a large amount of diesel directly to the US at a time when diesel prices had skyrocketed across the country. The agreement caused shock and drew criticism in Ukraine and Europe, and it was widely reported that the amount of diesel in question was a fraction of US daily demand.
According to data from Kpler and MarineTraffic.com, one of the tankers turned toward Brazil, another entered the Mediterranean, and a third still in the North Atlantic changed its destination from New York to “for orders” without listing an unloading point.
Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev called the reports fake. “Fake. Tankers destined for the US continue on course,” he said on Thursday. Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov described details of the shipments as a “commercial” matter that could not be made public, adding, “All diesel will find its buyers.”
Despite the US Treasury Department temporarily authorizing Russian diesel transactions, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill warned port and terminal operators to turn away ships carrying the fuel. In a letter this week, she said “any effort to profit from the illegal trade in Russian fuel will be met with harsh penalties.” She accused the administration of lacking authority to override the import ban enacted by Congress more than four years ago and said New Jersey would act to prevent state facilities and companies from handling Russian fuel.
Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal warned shipping companies against violating US sanctions forbidding imports of Russian fuel. His letter dated October 27 said: “No president can unilaterally override a statute. Trump's license will not absolve you of legal and moral accountability.”
Shipping the fuel was also a logistical challenge, given that sanctions against Russia remained in place.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The dispute tests the limits of presidential authority to waive sanctions and states’ power to enforce federal import bans.
- The outcome could affect US diesel prices and the credibility of the sanctions regime against Russia.
- It sets a precedent for future energy deals between the US and sanctioned countries.
Background
In October, President Trump eased sanctions on Russian oil to allow diesel imports into the US, striking a deal with President Putin during a period of high domestic diesel prices. The move was criticised by Ukraine and European allies and raised legal questions because Congress had enacted a ban on Russian fuel imports four years ago. The Treasury Department issued a temporary authorisation for the transactions, but state officials argue it does not override the statutory ban.
Key Perspectives
Russian officials: Insist the tankers remain on course; envoy Kirill Dmitriev called the tracking reports “fake,” and spokesman Dmitry Peskov said details are commercial.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill: Warned port operators against handling Russian fuel, threatening “harsh penalties,” and accused the administration of lacking the authority to override the congressional import ban.
Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal: Cautioned shipping companies that “no president can unilaterally override a statute” and that Trump’s licence does not absolve them of legal accountability.
What to Watch
- The final destinations of the three tankers and whether any attempt to dock at a US port.
- Potential legal challenges from states or shipping companies over the Treasury authorisation.
- Further action by Congress or the administration on the import ban.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedRussian diesel tankers reportedly changed course.DW English: “Several sanctioned tankers headed for the US carrying Russian diesel are said to have changed course, one toward Brazil and the other into the Mediterranean”
- SupportedUS officials warned against fuel shipments, including New Jersey’s governor and a Connecticut senator warning shipping companies or operators.DW English: “New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill warned port and terminal operators to turn away ships carrying the fuel. ... Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal warned shipping companies against violating US sanctions forbidding imports of Russian fuel.”
- SupportedOne tanker headed toward Brazil and another into the Mediterranean, according to Kpler and MarineTraffic data.DW English: “one toward Brazil and the other into the Mediterranean, according to data from marine data company Kpler and vessel traffic site MarineTraffic.com.”
- SupportedA third tanker in the North Atlantic changed its destination from New York to “for orders” without listing an unloading point.DW English: “A third vessel was still in the North Atlantic headed toward the US but changed its destination from New York to a vague "for orders," without listing an unloading point.”
- SupportedThe tankers reportedly left Primorsk last month with the US east coast as their declared destination.DW English: “The tankers reportedly departed from the Baltic Sea port of Primorsk last month and had declared their destinations as the US east coast.”
- SupportedKirill Dmitriev said on Thursday, “Fake. Tankers destined for the US continue on course.”DW English: “"Fake. Tankers destined for the US continue on course," Dmitriev said on X, linking to the FT story.”
- SupportedDmitry Peskov described shipment details as a “commercial” matter that could not be made public and said, “All diesel will find its buyers.”DW English: “Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said detail of shipments were a "commercial" matter that could not be made public. "All diesel will find its buyers," he added, without elaborating.”
- SupportedMikie Sherrill said in a letter this week, “any effort to profit from the illegal trade in Russian fuel will be met with harsh penalties.”DW English: “In a letter earlier this week, she warned that "any effort to profit from the illegal trade in Russian fuel will be met with harsh penalties.””
- SupportedSherrill accused the Trump administration of lacking authority to override the congressional import ban and said New Jersey would prevent state facilities and companies from handling Russian fuel.DW English: “Sherrill accused the Trump administration of lacking authority in overriding the import ban enacted by Congress more than four years ago. She said New Jersey would act to prevent state facilities and companies from handling Russian fuel.”
- SupportedRichard Blumenthal’s October 27 letter warned shipping companies against violating sanctions and said, “No president can unilaterally override a statute. Trump's license will not absolve you of legal and moral accountability.”DW English: “In a letter dated October 27, Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal warned shipping companies against violating US sanctions forbidding imports of Russian fuel. "No president can unilaterally override a statute. Trump's license will not absolve you of legal and moral accountability," the letter read.”
- SupportedThe US Treasury temporarily authorized Russian diesel transactions, while sanctions remained in place and made shipping the fuel a logistical challenge.DW English: “Despite the fact that the US Treasury Department temporarily authorized Russian diesel transactions”
- SupportedTrump eased sanctions on Russian oil in a deal with Putin last month to secure diesel for the US, as diesel prices had skyrocketed across the country.DW English: “This all comes after US President Donald Trump eased sanctions on Russian oil last month , in a deal with with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to secure a large amount of diesel directly to the US at a time when diesel prices have skyrocketed across the country.”