The first tanker of Russian diesel sent to the United States under President Donald Trump’s deal with Moscow has stopped off the US east coast with no port to unload, and its manager says it is still awaiting orders.
MoneyTurkey Commodities Desk | 10 November 2026
Key points
- The Malta-flagged Agioi Fanendes loaded 40,000 metric tons of ultra-low sulphur diesel, nearly 300,000 barrels, at Russia’s Baltic port of Primorsk on Oct. 22 and was due to deliver on Nov. 7.
- “Nothing has changed regarding the vessel’s destination. She is still awaiting orders,” its Greece-based manager Eastmed told Reuters on Tuesday.
- Two other tankers that signalled US destinations have already turned away, and no Russian diesel cargo has reached a US port since the deal was struck.
What happened
The Agioi Fanendes left Primorsk on Oct. 22 with New York listed as its destination and an expected delivery date of Nov. 7, LSEG shipping data showed. The following week Eastmed said the ship was proceeding awaiting orders and that no discharge port had been finalised. On Tuesday the ship had come to a halt off the US east coast, Reuters reported.
Bloomberg reported that the tanker began sailing away from the coast on Monday, about 400 nautical miles (about 740 kilometres) from New York, and has since moved in an irregular pattern. Ships can switch their declared destination to “for orders” more than once in a voyage when a deal falls through or plans change.
The Agioi Fanendes was the last of the first three US-bound cargoes still heading for America. The Russian tanker Talisman and the Hong Kong-owned Leruo had already changed course, the Financial Times reported on Nov. 5.
Policy background
Trump announced the arrangement with Moscow last month to help bring down pump prices before the US midterm elections. In approving it he waived parts of a new US sanctions law and said Russia would export 300,000 tons, or 2.25 million barrels, to the US and global markets at once, followed by 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons after that.
The US banned imports of Russian oil and petroleum products in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. New Jersey’s Democratic Governor Mikie Sherrill warned port officials and terminal operators this month not to accept Russian diesel, saying the shipments would break federal law and could expose businesses to civil and criminal penalties.
Why it matters
The deal was meant to add diesel supply quickly, but so far none has landed in the United States. Whether Russia can deliver the promised volumes is also in doubt: Bloomberg counted six Russian refineries hit by Ukrainian strikes since the start of November.
What to watch
- Whether Eastmed names a discharge port or the Agioi Fanendes diverts
- The route of the fourth cargo, on the Seychelles-owned tanker Beast, which loaded at Primorsk on Oct. 27
- Any new warnings from US port states on handling Russian fuel
- US Energy Information Administration weekly distillate stock figures
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For information only. Not investment advice.
Sources
- Reuters: Tanker carrying Russian diesel halts off US coast, shipping data shows
- Reuters, via The Moscow Times: Tanker Carrying Russian Diesel Halts Off U.S. Coast
- Reuters, via Baird Maritime: Tanker with Russian diesel pauses off US east coast awaiting orders
- Bloomberg: Ship carrying Russian diesel makes U-turn after heading to US
- Kyiv Post: Tanker Carrying Russian Diesel Abandons US-Bound Route
- Meduza: Last tanker carrying Russian diesel turns back from U.S. coast
