Polish refiner Orlen has in recent months chartered at least 10 tankers that previously shipped Russian oil to Asia to deliver Arab crude to its refineries in Lithuania and Poland on their return journey, according to two traders and LSEG data.
Many oil majors have avoided contracting tankers that have carried Russian crude because of the risk of sanctions and self-imposed restrictions.
Poland, formerly one of the largest importers of crude from Russia, stopped purchases of Russian oil this spring and has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its war against Russia that Moscow calls a special military operation. "Dead freight is one of the issues when working with Russian oil as not all companies agree to use ships involved in Urals deliveries," the trader said.
Asked if it chartered the vessels on the their return from shipping Russian crude to Asia, it said it did not comment on commercial issues or give details of its cooperation with business partners.The rates for Russian oil shipping jumped to all-time highs earlier this year after the European Union and the G7 imposed sanctions that made many ship-owners avoid Russian barrels. The cost eased as Russia bought more vessels or managed to charter others.
On the way back, the vessel loaded 100,000 tonnes of Arab Light crude at the Saudi port of Sidi Kerir on July 22 for delivery to the Polish port of Gdansk. Other tankers included the Waikiki, Bonita, Nissos Delos, Calida, Anafi Warrior, Ark, Lovina and Botafogo that supplied oil, mostly from the Middle East, to Gdansk and Butinge before heading to Russia's nearby Primorsk and Ust-Luga, the data shows.
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