Six Russian tankers still under construction sanctioned by US - Reuters
Photo: Six still unfinished Russian tankers have been sanctioned by the US (Getty Images)
Six Russian oil tankers still under construction at the Zvezda Russian shipbuilding plant have been sanctioned by the United States. This is the first time Washington has banned tankers before they have even gone to sea, Reuters reports.
The agency noted that the sanctions imposed by the United States last week caused a spike in oil prices and an increase in tanker transportation costs, as the Biden administration took steps to harm Russian oil exports and hinder Moscow's efforts to build its own fleet.
As Reuters discovered, the six tankers being built at the Zvezda (Star) shipyard were among the 183 vessels targeted by the sanctions. These include Nursultan Nazarbayev, Alexander Beggrov, Alexey Bogolyubov, and three other ships whose names have not yet been revealed: Zvezda 131080, Zvezda 131060, and Zvezda 131040.
According to the sanctions text, the buyers of the Alexander Beggrov and Alexey Bogolyubov vessels are the Sovcomflot Russian company, while the buyers of the other four are the shipping division of Rosneft, Rosnefteflot.
It is noted that both buyers are also under US sanctions.
US sanctions against Russia
On January 10, the US Department of the Treasury announced new large-scale sanctions against the Russian energy sector, including the largest oil company Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz, to hinder Moscow in its war against Ukraine by depriving it of billions of dollars per month.
The sanctions also target more than 180 vessels and dozens of oil traders, service providers in the oil industry, insurance companies, and energy sector officials.
According to Kpler, the latest sanctions affected tankers that account for about 42% of Russia's maritime oil exports, primarily to China.
Reuters reported that the new US sanctions against Russian oil companies are the most extensive restrictions on the country's energy sector. Russia may lose billions of dollars per month.
