In another blow to Moscow’s exports, marine fuel vendors have stopped service of ships carrying Russian flags to major European hubs, including Spain and Malta.
Marine fuel vendors have stopped service of Russian flag-hoisting vessels to major European hubs including Spain and Malta in another blow to Moscow’s exports, five industry sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.
Shipping sources say losing access to refueling points in the Mediterranean poses major problems for Russian oil tankers traveling from Baltic ports to Asia and also poses safety concerns if stuck at sea with potentially flammable cargo. Huh.
Russia is battling a wave of severe economic sanctions on its banks and oligarchs, and foreign companies are breaking ties after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, which Russian President Vladimir Putin calls a special military operation.
A number of factors have prompted the interruption of refueling services, including what sources describe as “self-acceptance”, where companies are seeking to stay ahead of the next wave of measures by refusing to enter into contracts with Russian entities. Let’s try
Payment problems due to banking sanctions have also added to complications with deals for marine fuel, which are usually priced in US dollars.
One source said the Russian-flagged ships could not secure marine fuel in Malta, the British overseas territory of Gibraltar, or Spain’s neighboring Algeciras – all major bunkering, or refueling areas, in the Mediterranean Sea.
“Many tankers had to make long journeys to bunkers in other countries after European ports refused to provide fuel,” another source said.
A government official in Malta said the country was not allowing any Russian-flagged ships to enter its ports.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Transport of Spain’s Merchant Marine said it was “possible that some providers are adopting these measures independently”.
A Gibraltar government spokesman said the port authority would “deny calling requests from all vessels owned or operated by any person connected to the country, not even for bunkering, in accordance with UK regulations”.
The spokesman said that like Britain, foreign ships carrying Russian cargo would not be affected.
‘Not doing business’
Russia’s maritime sector is already grappling with the termination of other services, including ship certification by major foreign providers – vital to accessing ports and securing insurance – pulling out shipping companies and allowing ship engine makers to suspend training on their equipment .
Shipping industry sources said it was unclear how Russian companies would be able to operate given the complexities of the world’s maritime trade and that many services would be withdrawn.
Danish marine fuel supplier and ship owner Monzasa said it had “traded and supplied with Russian-flagged ships, Russian registered companies and companies and persons affiliated or affiliated with Russian ownership” since February 25, a day after the Russian invasion began. was suspended. ,
Denmark’s Bunker Holding said it has halted all deliveries to Russian ports since early March, adding that the group and subsidiaries, including Dan-Bunkering, have also “stopped entering into new obligations with Russian counterparts”. .
Bunker Holding said, “We are aware of the challenges that apply to customers and counterparties in the rest of the world to stop trade with Russian counterparts, but with the dire situation in Ukraine we need to act swiftly and decisively against Russia.” Action needs to be taken.” Statement.
Gibraltar bunker supplier Peninsula, which is active elsewhere in the Mediterranean and elsewhere, said in a LinkedIn post that it was “not doing business with Russian ships, ports, companies – owned or majority-owned – suppliers and financial institutions”. .
Earlier this month Britain announced sanctions on Russia’s largest shipping company Sovcomflot.
While the ban on Russian ships from EU ports is still under discussion, Russia’s oil and product exporters are already facing problems concluding charters for ships and insurance, shipping sources say.
(Additional reporting by Inti Landauro and Isla Binny in Madrid, Chris Scicluna in Valletta and Rowena Edwards in London; Editing by Veronica Brown and David Clarke)
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