Tankers carried South Korean fuel to Russia in July and August

Seven tankers carried more than 176,000 metric tons of fuel, mostly diesel, from South Korea to Russia’s Far East in July and August, according to an analysis of port records and ship-tracking data. The vessels made 14 trips, and three were under sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom and the European Union. One tanker received fuel in a ship-to-ship transfer off South Korea rather than at a port terminal. The shipments took place as Ukrainian attacks disrupted Russian oil refining and fuel supplies. The International Energy Agency reported that Russian refinery throughput fell in June to its lowest level in more than 20 years, while diesel output was nearly 30% below the level a year earlier. The reported voyages do not appear to violate South Korean law; South Korea’s Russia-related measures primarily restrict exports of items such as machinery, electronics and vehicles. Among the vessels, the sanctioned tanker Layla made two voyages from Ulsan to Vladivostok carrying a combined 57,000 metric tons of diesel. On its second trip, it declared Niigata, Japan, as its destination before sailing to Vladivostok.