Russia's seaborne diesel, gas exports rise in November; production expands as ban lifted 

Seaborne exports of diesel and gas oil from Russian ports increased by 8.5% in November compared to the previous month, reaching approximately 2.8 million metric tons. This surge follows the lifting of an export ban and an expansion in production, as reported by traders and LSEG data. To address a domestic shortage, Russia had implemented a temporary ban on diesel exports starting on September 21. The ban was partially lifted on October 9, allowing the resumption of ultra-low-sulphur diesel (ULSD) exports through Transneft pipelines. Subsequently, on November 22, Russia completely lifted the ban on summer diesel exports. In the first three weeks of November, diesel output from Russian refineries rose by almost 11% from an average October level to 238,120 tons per day, Reuters sources said. Russian ULSD shipments to Brazil hit a record high in November, data from traders and LSEG showed. Russian diesel has replaced a large amount of Brazil’s supplies, which were previously sourced from the U.S., traders said. Russia has diverted its diesel supplies to Brazil, Turkey, African and Asian countries after a full European Union embargo on Russian oil products went into effect in February this year. According to LSEG shipping data, at least 0.93 million tonnes of diesel were loaded in November in Russian ports, mainly the Baltic port of Primorsk, and were now heading to Brazil. Most of those cargoes will arrive in Brazilian ports in December. Between January and November ULSD shipments from Russian ports to Brazil have totalled 5.8 million metric tons, while diesel supplies from the U.S. have fallen to 2.25 million metric tons, after 5.9 million metric tons in the first 11 months of 2022, LSEG data showed. Russian diesel and gasoil seaborne exports to Turkey rose 16% month-on-month in November to 750,000 metric tons, according to shipping data. Last month about 550,000 metric tons of diesel and gasoil from Russian ports were heading to African countries, including Libya, Togo, Ghana, Senegal and Ivory Coast, LSEG data showed. Another 155,000 metric tons of diesel from Russia in November was destined for ship-to-ship transfers near the Greek port of Kalamata. The final destinations for these cargoes is not yet known. About 200,000 metric tons of diesel has no confirmed destination yet. All the above shipping data are based on the date of cargo departure. With inputs from Reuters.