The Governor Of New Jersey Has Decided To Ban The Receipt Of Russian Diesel At The Largest Import Terminal In The U.S.
- 30.10.2026, 13:23
Three tankers from Russia may find themselves in limbo.
Three tankers equipped with Russian diesel engines are heading toward the U.S. coast, but it remains unclear whether whether anyone is willing to accept them. The governor of New Jersey, home to the largest center for the import and distribution of petroleum products on the U.S. East Coast, is considering measures to prevent the unloading of Russian fuel.
Donald Trump’s deal with Vladimir Putin will line the Kremlin leader’s pockets “at the expense of American consumers and our democratic ally—Ukraine,” said Governor Miki Sherrill Financial Times. She accused Trump of doing nothing that would actually lower fuel prices. “Trump’s diesel deal with Putin is corrupt and illegal, and I am exploring options to prevent these ships from arriving at New Jersey ports,” Sherrill said.
Three tankers carrying 140,000 metric tons of diesel are expected to reach the U.S. a few days after the midterm congressional elections, in which the high cost of fuel and the cost of living in general have become key issues. One of the tankers, the Agioi Fanendes, originally listed New York as its destination (the Port of New York and New Jersey is a single facility, with the main infrastructure for receiving petroleum products located in New Jersey). However, the ship’s owner, Eastern Mediterranean Maritime, told the FT that it is currently “awaiting instructions, as the unloading port has not yet been confirmed.”
Another tanker that loaded cargo in Primorsk, the Leruo (subject to sanctions by the EU, the UK, and Canada), initially listed Manaus, Brazil, as its port of destination. But while passing through the North Sea, it changed its destination to “Atlantic coast, awaiting instructions,” Reuters reported, citing data from LSEG. A third tanker, the Talisman (subject to EU and U.S. sanctions), is now transmitting the same signal, the FT reports.
It remains unclear who is willing to accept their fuel. Members of Congress issued several warnings to the business community, reminding them that the supply of Russian energy resources is prohibited by a 2022 law and that companies could face problems. Lawmakers promised to launch an investigation and sent letters to banks and ports demanding that they retain all documentation related to the transactions. Jamie Raskin , a member of the House Judiciary Committee , separately warned businesses that purchasing Russian diesel could result in fines of up to $1 million and prison terms of up to 20 years.
Senator Richard Blumenthal demanded in a letter that the two companies owning the tankers carrying the diesel recall them, as the fuel shipment is “illegal.”
Russian shipments are drawing increased scrutiny, “so some companies will avoid them purely for reputational reasons,” says Claire McCleskey, a partner at Clarity Consulting Compliance and a former employee of the Department of the Treasury. But others may accept the fuel, hoping for Trump’s gratitude and additional benefits if he concludes new energy agreements with Russia after the election, she says.
Trump’s agreement did not affect prices. Before the announcement, the wholesale price (futures on the CME Group exchange) was $4.88 per gallon. The price continues to fluctuate around that level, though it did rise to nearly $5.