Russia imported about 30,000 metric tons of fuel from South Korea last month to address supply constraints caused by ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks on refineries. According to a Reuters report citing ship-tracking data from Kpler and Vortexa, at least two short-range tankers were loaded with fuels in South Korea and sent to Russia's Far East. One has already arrived at its destination.
An earlier report by Bloomberg suggested Russian refineries’ throughput fell last month to the lowest since 2002, at 3.6 million barrels daily, which is over 30% below the seasonal average.
Reuters noted that the two South Korean cargos were of diesel fuel and some jet fuel, according to unnamed sources.
Meanwhile, crude oil production in Russia is rising, with the July average standing at over 9 million barrels daily.
Russia has also instituted a ban on diesel fuel exports, which has exacerbated an already tight supply situation in global diesel fuel.
