Russian oil product exports rose in December to a four-month excessive, pushed by stronger diesel shipments from ports within the Baltic Sea to close by markets.
Seaborne deliveries of main refined fuels climbed to about 2.15 million barrels a day final month, the best since August, based on Vortexa Ltd. knowledge compiled by Bloomberg. Exports have been up roughly 11 p.c from November ranges.
The rise comes at the same time as Ukrainian drone assaults on Russian refineries have disrupted gasoline manufacturing and logistics, marking some of the direct hits to the nation’s petroleum gross sales for the reason that invasion of Ukraine started. In comparison with a 12 months earlier, nevertheless, oil product exports have been down by 7 p.c, reflecting the affect from each sanctions and the mounting strikes.
Russia’s diesel exports proceed to outperform different merchandise, with regular shipments to close by markets together with Turkey and elements of Africa supported by stronger flows from Primorsk and different Baltic ports. A rebound in refinery runs has additionally boosted gasoline provides.
Weaker naphtha and gasoline oil flows level to ongoing challenges for long-haul merchandise amid sanctions, oil infrastructure injury and shifting market demand. Some naphtha cargoes routed to Venezuela are going through recent stress after US tanker blockades, with no less than one vessel turning again within the mid-Atlantic.
With official oil manufacturing figures unavailable, Russia’s seaborne flows of crude and fuels supply clues about what the nation may be pumping. Crude oil exports noticed a pointy drop in late 2025 and early this 12 months, as Ukrainian strikes on power infrastructure intensified and Russian oil costs lagged world benchmarks.
Right here’s a breakdown of oil product shipments from Russian ports in December:
Diesel and gasoil shipments rose 36 p.c from November ranges to a sixmonth excessive of 988,000 barrels a day. Deliveries from Baltic ports surged 41 p.c, notably from Primorsk. Shipments to Turkey, North Africa and Brazil remained robust.
Naphtha exports slipped marginally to 483,000 barrels a day, whereas gasoline and mixing element flows have been about 31,000 barrels a day. Jet gasoline shipments dropped 20 p.c to 31,000 barrels a day.
Gas oil shipments declined 15 p.c to 567,000 barrels a day. Flows of refinery feedstocks, which embrace vacuum gasoil, rose to about 54,000 barrels a day.
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