Kathmandu [Nepal], October 24 – Russia has sent three tankers carrying diesel fuel to the United States under an agreement between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump aimed at easing a global fuel supply crisis, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Friday.
The vessels are heading towards the US East Coast with further supplies expected to involve Russian energy giant Rosneft, Novak said. He added that Russia planned to increase diesel shipments to the United States and other international markets to boost global supply.
Under the announced plan Russia is expected to ship more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel initially followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and another one million tonnes thereafter subject to refinery capacity.
One of the tankers, Malta-flagged Agioi Fanendes departed from Russia’s Baltic Sea port of Primorsk carrying around 40,000 tonnes of diesel bound for New York. Energy market analysts estimate it could reach the United States between November 7 and 10.
The reported agreement comes as disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran put pressure on global energy supplies.
The diesel shipments could help ease US supply pressures as Trump faces growing pressure to lower fuel prices ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
