US Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal has sent an ultimatum letter to shipping companies demanding they turn around tankers transporting Russian diesel fuel to US ports. According to him, such supplies violate federal law, and any license issued cannot override the ban established by Congress. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing the senator's statement on the social network X.
The tanker Agioi Fanendes and 40,000 tons of diesel
At the center of the senator's attention is the Malta-flagged tanker Agioi Fanendes, which, according to Blumenthal, is carrying nearly 40,000 tons of Russian diesel fuel. The vessel left a Russian port on October 22, and as of October 24, its stated destinations were the ports of New York and New Jersey. The expected arrival date is November 7. Blumenthal published a letter addressed to Athanasios Martinos, managing director of the Greek shipping company Eastern Mediterranean Maritime Limited (EASTMED), calling on him to change the vessel's course.
Reference to the 2022 law and the Treasury license
To support his position, the senator cited the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act, passed by Congress in 2022, which prohibits the import of Russian goods into the US, including diesel fuel. At the same time, Blumenthal mentioned General License No. 135 issued by the US Department of the Treasury, which permits operations involving the export of Russian diesel. The senator stated that such a license cannot override the statutory ban: "The President may have issued a license to facilitate this transaction, but only Congress can make it legally valid." The letter emphasizes that no single president can unilaterally repeal a law passed by the legislative branch.
Demand to provide data by October 31
In addition to calling for the vessel to be turned around, Blumenthal demanded that EASTMED provide comprehensive information by October 31 on all participants in the transaction: the seller and buyer of the fuel, the charterer, the insurer, the terminal operator, and the company responsible for the further distribution of the diesel. The senator also asked whether the company had received any instructions from the US Department of the Treasury or other federal agencies in connection with this shipment. He argued that offloading Russian diesel fuel in US ports would constitute a violation of the country's laws, and no license would exempt the carrier from legal and moral responsibility.
Context: Three tankers and preparation of an investigation
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that three tankers carrying Russian diesel are heading to the US, with one of the vessels under international sanctions. Concurrently, a group of Democrats in Congress is laying the groundwork for an investigation into the diesel agreement between the US and Russia. Letters have already been sent to bank and port administrations demanding relevant information. Thus, Blumenthal's appeal to shipping companies is part of a broader campaign of pressure on participants in the Russian fuel supply chain to American ports.
