Russian Oil Export Terminals Halt Shipments After Drone Attacks
Russia’s key Baltic oil export terminals at Ust-Luga and Primorsk have been unable to receive shipments for a second consecutive week following a series of drone attacks reportedly carried out by Ukraine, according to industry sources.
The attacks, which occurred repeatedly during the final weeks of March, damaged critical port infrastructure. Sources say at least five strikes hit Ust-Luga within a span of 10 days, significantly disrupting operations at the major export hub.
Due to the continued disruptions and export restrictions, Russian refineries are now being forced to look for alternative routes to move their oil products abroad. Industry insiders warn that the situation could also lead to a decline in oil production in Russia.
Traders revealed that since March 22, refineries have been unable to deliver diesel fuel to Primorsk for export, leaving facilities across European Russia and Siberia without their main export outlet.
“Diesel fuel has not been accepted in Primorsk since March 22,” one industry source said, adding that authorities have promised to resume accepting deliveries soon.
As a result, some refineries are considering more expensive transportation options, including shipping by rail to other export terminals. Facilities that normally send products to Ust-Luga have been evaluating the possibility of redirecting fuel oil shipments to Vysotsk on the Gulf of Finland or Taman on the Black Sea coast.
However, traders note that Vysotsk has a much smaller handling capacity, while transporting oil to Taman would require significantly more rail tank cars.
Meanwhile, Finnish maritime authorities reported that shipments from Primorsk and Ust-Luga have dropped sharply, with only a few vessels departing instead of the usual weekly average of 40 to 50 ships.
