Tankers loaded with Russian oil and gas are criss-crossing global seas. But with the western boycott on the country’s crude widening, traders and analysts have said it was unclear whether the intended recipients would accept deliveries, as the US and its European partners consider a Russian oil embargo.
Sovcomflot is Russia’s largest shipping company and the world’s biggest owner of medium-sized tankers called Aframaxes, which can carry between 500,000 and 800,000 barrels of oil. It also operates liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers.
Last week, 77 ships from Sovcomflot’s 172-strong active fleet were at sea, according to data provided by Windward, a maritime intelligence company. One of its vessels, NS Champion, was destined to dock in Orkney, Scotland, but was turned away and was last seen heading to Denmark.