China and India have not allowed at least 20 tankers carrying Russian crude to unload at their ports, as a growing volume of Russian oil remains at sea amid tightening restrictions on shipments, according to The Moscow Times on December 23.
The Moscow Times, citing vessel-tracking data, reported that Russia shipped an average of 3.87 million barrels per day of crude oil in the four weeks to December 21, the highest level since May 2023.
Every article pushes back against disinformation. Your support keeps our team in the field.
Despite more cargoes struggling to discharge and some vessels waiting for buyers willing to accept steeper discounts, the amount of Russian oil held on tankers at sea increased 48% from late August to 185 million barrels.
-17753cdeceefed101825738abba6e0d4.jpg)
The buildup has coincided with weaker Russian export prices. The Moscow Times reported that Urals crude was trading around $33-$34 a barrel, compared with Brent at about $61-$62, after a prolonged slide in Russian benchmark prices.
Earlier, it was reported that Qingdao port operators would bar older or higher-risk vessels from berthing under new rules that could constrain shipments of sanctioned oil.
-457ad7ae19a951ebdca94e9b6bf6309d.png)
We report from the front lines to show the reality of war. Your support helps us stay there and tell the stories that matter.
