▲ Russian Gasoline Crisis
Bloomberg reported on the 12th local time that Russia has been driven to the point of importing gasoline from India as heavy Ukrainian strikes have halted the operations of refining facilities across the country.
The report explained that although Russia has traditionally been an energy-exporting nation, the blows to its refining capacity from Ukraine's offensive have left it in a situation where it must resort to long-distance maritime transport taking nearly two months to cover domestic shortages.
According to analysis by shipping data firm Kpler, this movement was first detected on June 18 at the port of Vadinar in western India.
At the time, the Russian-flagged vessel Cyclone loaded 42,000 tons of gasoline and sailed northward toward the Mediterranean Sea.
The following month, on July 6, this vessel rendezvoused with the Oman-flagged vessel Garnet in the waters around Egypt's Damietta port to transfer the gasoline.
Bloomberg analyzed that the gasoline transported through this Ship-to-Ship (STS) method arrived in Russia on the 5th of this month, nearly two months later.
In fact, Russia's energy shortage is becoming increasingly severe.
According to energy analytics firm EA Analytics, Russia's crude oil refining volume dropped to an average of 3.6 million barrels per day in July, which is about one-third lower than normal levels.
Russia is struggling with energy supplies because Ukraine continues its intense bombardment targeting oil refineries.
Ukraine struck 5 Russian refineries just last week and 2 more this week using drones.
Bloomberg pointed out that at the center of these covert transactions is Nayara Energy, an Indian firm partially owned by Russian energy giant Rosneft.
After facing European Union (EU) sanctions last July, Nayara has reportedly been importing crude oil and exporting refined products by mobilizing so-called shadow fleet tankers.
In particular, Nayara handles nearly 400,000 barrels of refining volume per day at its facility in the port of Vadinar, and is reportedly in a position where it needs to expand its export market as local Indian companies reduce their purchases.
Bloomberg analyzed that shipments of gasoline originating from India bound for Russia are expected to continue arriving via maritime routes.
Bloomberg reported that the vessels mobilized are registered on Russia's vessel lists and are all subject to EU or US sanctions.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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