Russia is turning to Türkiye for gasoline supplies as fuel shortages worsen following attacks on the country’s refineries. A tanker loaded with approximately 200,000 barrels of gasoline at Türkiye’s Mersin Port is expected to reach Russia next week, marking the first identified seaborne gasoline delivery from Türkiye to Russia.

According to S&P Global Commodities at Sea data, the tanker Wendrix is carrying the shipment from Mersin. VesselFinder data indicates that the vessel is heading toward a port in the Baltic Sea. The origin of the fuel loaded onto the tanker has not been disclosed.

Russia Expands Alternative Fuel Sources

Russia has received more than 1 million barrels of gasoline by sea since late July as it seeks alternative sources to compensate for disruptions to domestic refinery output.

Over the past month, three tankers loaded at India’s Vadinar refinery reached Russia after ship-to-ship transfers off the coast of Egypt. In late July, another shipment of approximately 300,000 barrels arrived from Morocco, although the fuel’s actual origin could not be determined.

The planned 200,000-barrel shipment from Türkiye would therefore become Russia’s fifth identified alternative source of gasoline.

Refinery Attacks Hit Russian Fuel Supply

Russia’s gasoline shortage has intensified following attacks on its energy infrastructure.

In July, Russia reduced its daily crude oil processing volume by 28% year-on-year to 3.7 million barrels, according to the report. Russian refineries continued to come under attack in August.

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on August 19 that the country’s fuel market had entered what he described as the “second stage” of the crisis.

Moscow has also extended its gasoline export ban until the end of January 2027 and is increasingly turning to imports to address the domestic supply shortfall.

Source: Patronlar Dünyası/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök