The Russian oil ports of Ust-Luga and Koivisto on the Baltic Sea are unable to fully handle oil shipments following attacks by Ukrainian drones.
This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing information from Reuters.
Alternative export routes
According to the agency, Russian oil refineries are forced to seek alternative export routes, including more expensive rail transport to other terminals.
Problems with diesel fuel
The situation with diesel fuel has become particularly complicated: since March 22, it cannot be shipped through Koivisto, which was one of the main export routes for Russian refineries in the European part of Russia and Siberia.
Due to infrastructure damage, efforts are being made to redirect some of the fuel oil and other petroleum products to other ports, notably Vysotsky and Taman. However, these options have limitations: lower capacity or more complex logistics.
According to traders, this is already putting additional pressure on the Russian oil system and could lead to a reduction in production.
Finnish maritime authorities told Reuters that shipments from Koivisto and Ust-Luga have been reduced to a single vessel, although 40–50 shipments are typically made each week.
Strikes on Russian Ports
As a reminder, due to large-scale attacks by Ukrainian drones on the ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk, Russian oil exports via the Baltic Sea have effectively been paralyzed.
In the last week of March alone, maritime exports of crude oil from Russia plummeted, resulting in the Kremlin losing over $1 billion in revenue.
