Russian diesel tanker departs for New York

The first tanker carrying Russian diesel fuel for the United States, the Malta-flagged Agioi Fanendes, has departed from the Baltic port of Primorsk and is expected to arrive in New York on November 7. The vessel holds 40,000 tonnes of fuel. The shipment follows an October 9 agreement between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking the first such delivery since a US ban on Russian oil imports in March 2022. The deal aims to supply 300,000 tonnes in October and 500,000 tonnes in November. Analysts express skepticism about Russia's ability to meet the agreed volumes due to production constraints and tanker market tensions. The deal has drawn criticism from Ukraine, EU capitals, and US Congress members.