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Photo: Marine Traffic
Three tankers transporting petroleum products for the Indian company Nayara Energy have been unable to unload their cargo due to the European Union’s 18th package of sanctions against Russia, Reuters reported earlier today, citing shipping data and industry sources.
According to the report, the tanker Alora, carrying 60,000 metric tons (approximately 472,800 barrels) of jet fuel, has been anchored near the Portuguese port of Sines since July 18. Although the cargo has already been paid for, the vessel is unable to discharge it, as the European firms responsible for oil inspection and related services are unwilling to work with a sanctioned entity. The buyer of the fuel on the Alora has not been identified.
A second vessel, Em Zenith, which is transporting around 40,000 tons of diesel fuel, was scheduled to dock at Tanjung Pelepas, a port in Malaysia, on July 31. However, on July 29, the tanker changed course and dropped anchor in the Strait of Malacca.
A third ship, Pacific Martina, carrying 60,000 tons of jet fuel, has been in the Gulf of Oman since last week. One of Reuters’ sources said that no buyer has yet been found for the cargo on board.
Last week, several tankers that had been scheduled to load Nayara Energy cargo at the Vadinar port in India’s Gujarat state reportedly changed their plans.
The EU’s 18th sanctions package, adopted on July 18, includes restrictions against Nayara Energy, which operates a major refinery in Vadinar. The company was sanctioned due to the fact that Russian state oil giant Rosneft owns a 49% stake in it.