Two Russian diesel tankers bound for US veer off course in blow to Trump deal

Two tankers abandon the US route

Two sanctioned tankers carrying Russian diesel no longer list the United States as their destination, the Financial Times reported on 4 November. The Talisman, a 20-year-old Russian tanker under US, UK and EU sanctions, has turned into the Mediterranean and is now off the coast of Algeria, broadcasting "for orders", a signal that suggests its cargo has no confirmed buyer or port. The Leruo, a Hong Kong-owned tanker flying the Sierra Leone flag and sanctioned by the UK, EU and Canada, has been heading for Brazil since 2 November. Both vessels had been expected to deliver fuel to the US, and the changes call into question whether the agreement can be carried out at all.

Other cargoes still moving toward the US

The Greek-owned Agioi Fanendes, operated by Eastern Mediterranean Maritime, is still moving toward the US, but its signal also shows no confirmed discharge port. Kpler analyst Matt Smith, cited by the FT, said the tanker was due in New York that weekend and could still turn away if American buyers stay wary of regulatory, legislative and sanctions risks. The company told the FT earlier:

“proceeding for orders as discharging port is not confirmed yet”

The sanctioned Beast, owned by companies in the Seychelles, loaded at the Russian port of Primorsk on 27 October and is signalling "Atlantic", which points to the US Atlantic coast. None of the owners of the sanctioned tankers could be reached for comment.

The deal and its political backdrop

Trump announced the agreement on 9 October, and the administration temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian fuel, arguing that imports would add supply and bring down prices on the American market. He stressed that the move mattered especially to farmers, livestock producers and truck drivers. Critics among Democrats, some Republicans and European politicians accused him of easing pressure on Vladimir Putin and giving the Kremlin extra funds during the war against Ukraine. A group of US senators from both parties has asked the White House to withdraw from the deal. The deal did little to help Republicans, as Democrats won majorities in both the Senate and the House in the 3 November elections.

Legal doubts and fuel prices

Authorities and industry representatives disagree about whether such deliveries are legal, which may be one reason the tankers changed course. New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill wrote to port terminal operators warning against receiving Russian fuel. In her letter, she warned that buying or unloading illegal Russian fuel heading to the East Coast on the Trump administration's instructions would likely expose companies and individuals to severe civil and criminal penalties. Members of Congress from the Democratic Party and some Republicans said the agreement could be illegal and demanded that Trump rescind it. On the market side, diesel futures have risen more than 60% since the start of the war in Iran, and the average US pump price stood at about $6.30 a gallon in early November 2026. New data showed US diesel inventories fell below 100 million barrels for the first time in more than two decades.