The governor of New Jersey is weighing measures to block tankers laden with Russian diesel from offloading their cargoes in the state, which hosts the largest petroleum distribution and import hub on the US east coast, FT reports.
Mikie Sherrill told the FT that Donald Trump’s deal with Vladimir Putin would line the pockets of the Russian president at the “expense of American consumers and our democratic ally Ukraine”.
“Donald Trump isn’t doing anything to bring down [petrol] prices, diesel prices or costs,” she said. “Trump’s diesel deal with Putin is corrupt and illegal, and I am evaluating options to stop it from arriving at a port in New Jersey.”
Her comments come as three tankers — including one blacklisted by the US and another blacklisted by the EU — are scheduled to arrive at American ports just days after the midterm elections. The combined shipments of about 140,000 tonnes are the first licensed by US authorities under the president’s recent deal to exempt Russian diesel from sanctions in an attempt to quell soaring US fuel prices and help Republicans retain control of Congress.
The vessels departed from St Petersburg earlier this month following Trump’s announcement of the agreement on October 9. One, the Agioi Fanendes, was originally signalling New York as its destination but its owner, Eastern Mediterranean Maritime, told the FT it was now “proceeding for orders as discharging port is not confirmed yet”. It is on a route through the north Atlantic Ocean towards the US.
If a ship signals “for orders” it means it is awaiting further instructions from its owner or charterer.
The other two ships are a Russian-owned tanker Talisman, which has just passed through the English Channel, and the Hong Kong-owned tanker Leruo, which has followed Agioi Fanendes through the North Sea. Talisman is sanctioned by European and US authorities, while Leruo is blacklisted by the EU, UK and Canada. Both have signals for “Atlantic Coast”.
Neither of the owners could be reached for comment.
