Russian Arctic Oil Tankers Prepare to Offload in Syria Amid U.S. Sanctions

Two tankers hit by U.S. sanctions are preparing to offload Russian Arctic Oil in Syria, marking the first known delivery of diesel to the country in over a decade. The Aquatica tanker, carrying approximately 100,000 tons of Russian oil, is expected to offload at the Baniyas port soon. Another tanker, Sakina, is en route to Baniyas with an additional 100,000 tons of oil and is scheduled to arrive on March 25. Both vessels are subject to sanctions imposed on January 10, along with the Umba storage tanker near Murmansk where they loaded the oil in February.

The U.S. sanctions in January have impacted Russian producer Gazprom neft and the tankers transporting the crude, forcing Russia to seek alternative buyers for its Arctic oil. Meanwhile, Syria is facing challenges in finding a replacement for Iranian oil for its refineries due to its own oil output struggles. The Baniyas refinery, Syria’s largest, ceased operations in December 2024 after Iranian supplies were suspended, leading to shortages in the country.

Despite the challenges, Russia has been actively shipping oil and diesel to Syria, with a recent diesel cargo arriving in March onboard a tanker under U.S. sanctions. The delivery of Russian Arctic Oil to Syria signifies a shift in energy dynamics in the region, with both countries navigating sanctions and supply challenges. Gazprom neft and Syrian oil ministry officials have not provided comments on the situation.

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