Russia’s first diesel tanker under the fuel supply deal struck by Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump will leave port on Thursday bound for the United States, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told reporters on Wednesday, according to Tass. Novak did not name the port, supplier or vessel, but said the tanker has a capacity of 40,000 metric tons, about 300,000 barrels, and that more batches will follow.
The sailing begins implementation of the agreement under which Russia pledged to ship 500,000 tons of diesel in a first phase after Putin agreed in a call with Trump earlier this month to relax export restrictions. Novak has said Russia aims to lift diesel exports gradually in November and December, toward as much as 3.5 million tons a month globally by year-end.