Belarus quadruples gasoline exports to Russia, Reuters reports
Illustrative photo: Belarus quadrupled gasoline exports to Russia (Getty Images)
Exports of gasoline from Belarus to Russia by rail quadrupled in September compared to the previous month. The reason was a fuel shortage in Russia caused by Ukrainian attacks on its energy infrastructure, Reuters informs.
According to the agency, several Russian regions have introduced rationing and temporarily frozen fuel prices in recent weeks due to a shortage of popular types of gasoline caused by drone strikes.
In addition, Moscow has restricted the export of gasoline and diesel fuel. Russia also increased fuel imports from Belarus last year to cover the shortfall.
Reuters sources reported that rail deliveries of gasoline from Belarusian refineries to the Russian domestic market rose last month to 40,000 metric tons, or 14,500 barrels per day. Diesel deliveries in September amounted to 33,000 tons.
At the same time, transit of gasoline from Belarus for further export through Russian ports increased by about 1% last month to 140,000 tons.
Belarus has been using Russian ports to transship its petroleum products since March 2021 under a cooperation agreement signed between Moscow and Minsk.
According to sources and Reuters calculations, such transshipments fell by almost 40% year-on-year in January–September to 1.17 million tons due to a decline in oil refining volumes.
The agency notes that two Belarusian refineries — the Naftan and Mozyr plants — have an annual capacity of 12 million tons each, or about 240,000 barrels per day. However, they usually produce around 9 million tons per year, or approximately 180,000 barrels per day.
Gasoline shortage in Russia
Russia’s gasoline problems began after a series of powerful Ukrainian drone strikes on its refineries.
As a result, some regions of Russia and temporarily occupied territories introduced restrictions on gasoline sales. In addition, Russian authorities banned fuel exports.
Amid the fuel crisis, gas stations across Russia began closing en masse, including some in Moscow.
Furthermore, Russia resumed gasoline supplies from Belarus through the St. Petersburg exchange. This occurred after nearly a year-long pause due to "high demand and unscheduled refinery shutdowns."
