Russia to Import 200,000 Barrels of Japanese Aviation Fuel via Ship-to-Ship Transfer

Three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that Russia is arranging a jet-fuel shipment originating from Japan as it faces a growing fuel shortage after Ukrainian strikes disrupted parts of its refining and fuel system. The plan involves intermediaries and a multi-leg route.

At least 200,000 barrels are expected to be loaded in Chiba, Japan, in the first half of July. The cargo is then expected to be shipped to South Korea first, with several traders involved in the transaction.

From South Korea, the fuel is likely to be transferred to another tanker—potentially through a ship-to-ship operation off the port of Yeosu—before being shipped to Russia. Reuters reported that the final destination inside Russia was not immediately disclosed.

The shipment is described as one of the few known imports of foreign jet fuel into Russia since the start of the full-scale war. A previous similar delivery occurred in February 2022, when about 22,000 barrels were transported from Yeosu to Russia’s Far East, reaching Vladivostok.