Steady Russian energy imports to Rotterdam - port authority

Sanctions have yet to impact Russian energy imports to Rotterdam, with crude oil and products, LNG and coal still flowing smoothly, the Port of Rotterdam said on Friday.

PHOTO: Barge at Euromax terminal. Port of Rotterdam

Around 110 ships arrive in Rotterdam from Russia every month, of which roughly 13 vessels are owned by Russian entities. An average of 90 vessels depart from Rotterdam to Russia.

Most Russian imports to Rotterdam are made up of crude oil, petroleum products, coal and lignite, cooper, aluminium and nickel.

Container shipping has taken a hit since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February and some of the biggest Western containership firms, including Maersk, CMA CGM and MSC, self-sanctioned by suspending cargo bookings to and from Russia.

The sanctions have mostly impacted container terminals and shipping companies that avoid Russian-bound cargo, the Port of Rotterdam says, adding that the port remains open to Russian vessels and inbound traffic is handled normally.

Earlier this month, Rotterdam’s ECT terminal banned exports and transhipment to Russia, while containers arriving from Russia were allowed.

Russia has been ARA’s biggest source for gasoil imports so far this year, according to Vortexa data. These flows continue, with three cargoes from the Russian Baltic Sea and Black Sea due to arrive later this month.

At least five fuel oil cargoes have arrived from Ust-Luga and Vysotsk in the week to 17 March, according to Vortexa. Other major sources included Estonia and the US Gulf Coast, from where several low sulphur fuel oil cargoes were imported.