According to the agency, the shipment was loaded in mid-July at the Moroccan port of Tangier and is currently being unloaded at the Russian Arctic port of Murmansk. Reuters reports that Lukoil was the supplier.
The import is one of the measures taken by Russian authorities to stabilize the domestic fuel market following production disruptions at oil refineries. In recent months, Russian refineries have faced a series of drone attacks, which led to the shutdown of some facilities and a decline in gasoline production. Against the backdrop of reduced production, fuel availability issues arose in a number of regions, and prices began to rise.
To offset the shortage, the authorities have taken several measures: they have restricted gasoline exports, begun increasing fuel supplies from Belarus and Kazakhstan, and announced plans to purchase petroleum products abroad.
In mid-July, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated that imports of petroleum products are necessary to stabilize the market amid declining production and rising demand.
According to Reuters, Russia has also begun importing gasoline from India via sea shipments.
By early July, gasoline production in the country had fallen to approximately 65% of the average summer consumption level due to shutdowns at major refineries following drone attacks. In some regions, authorities were forced to restrict fuel sales.
Data from the St. Petersburg International Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange show that AI-92 gasoline is already being offered for rail shipment from the Kola station, which serves the Port of Murmansk.
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