The Malta-flagged tanker Agioi Fanendes is heading to New York with Russian diesel fuel after loading at the Baltic port of Primorsk on October 22. It is the first confirmed shipment of its kind to the United States since Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin announced an agreement to resume trade in petroleum products.
According to Reuters, which examined vessel-tracking data from LSEG, the tanker is carrying approximately 40,000 metric tons of diesel. It is expected to reach New York on November 7.
Russian investigative outlet IStories independently examined the tanker's movements and estimated its cargo at approximately 35,700 metric tons, equivalent to 270,000 barrels. The reason for the discrepancy between the two published estimates has not been established.
IStories also found that the vessel is managed by the Greek company Eastern Mediterranean Maritime, which is linked to businessman Thanasis Martinos.
The Kremlin confirmed the departure of the first tanker carrying Russian diesel under the agreement with the United States. The buyer and seller of the specific shipment have not been publicly identified.
US President Donald Trump announced the agreement with Russia on October 9. It provides for a partial easing of sanctions restrictions and the resumption of Russian petroleum product shipments to the US market.
Under the announced terms, initial shipments are expected to total 300,000 metric tons, followed by another 500,000 metric tons in November, with volumes potentially increasing thereafter.
The United States banned imports of Russian oil and petroleum products in 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Trade is resuming amid rising diesel prices in the United States. The US administration has linked the decision to efforts to increase domestic fuel supplies.
Earlier reports had described only plans to dispatch the first tanker on October 22. New data from Reuters and IStories confirm that the vessel loaded its cargo and began its voyage.
The diesel has not yet arrived in the United States, however, and the operation cannot yet be considered a completed delivery to an American buyer.