#RussianOil #MediterraneanSea #ShipToShipTransfer #GreekNavy #Morocco #UralsCrude #EnergySanctions #GlobalOilTrade
In recent developments, the Greek Navy initiated military exercises in the Laconian Gulf, located approximately 110 miles southwest of Athens, aiming to interrupt the operations of a ‘floating oil base’ used by Russian tankers. These operations involved the ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of crude oil and its derivatives. Following these maneuvers, Russian tankers have since found a new location for their STS transfers in the Mediterranean Sea, specifically near Nador, a coastal city at the eastern tip of Morocco. This strategic shift was reported by Bloomberg, highlighting the adaptability of Russian oil logistics in the face of geopolitical tensions.
The Bloomberg report illuminated the situation with specific details of the operations surrounding Nador, naming tankers involved in the transfers. The Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), Rolin, was mentioned as receiving Urals crude from the smaller tanker, Serendi, marking the first known instance of such a transaction in this region. Alongside, the Aframax-class ship, Serendi, and two others, the Ocean AMZ and Sea Fidelity, have been implicated. These vessels reportedly transported approximately 730,000 barrels of Urals crude from Russia’s Primorsk port on the Baltic Sea last month, showcasing the intricate logistics and scale of Russian oil distribution.
The relocation of these STS activities sparks a broader discussion on the effectiveness of European sanctions and the countermeasures undertaken by Russia to sustain its oil exports amid increasing Western pressures. Despite significant efforts by the West to undermine the Russian energy sector, including forced relocations of STS operations and sanctions targeting the export of Russian crude, Moscow has demonstrated resilience. Such deterrence includes Greece’s naval interventions, and the broader strategy of the US and EU sanctions against Russian commodities. Additionally, incidents such as the Ukrainian military’s deployment of kamikaze drones against Russian refineries underline the complex interplay of military and economic strategies in this ongoing geopolitical conflict. Nevertheless, the adaptability of Russian logistics suggests a challenging path ahead for Western sanctions to significantly curtail Russia’s oil exports, especially with oil finding its way into the European market through indirect routes amidst criticism of the EU’s management of sanctions.
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