Get the latest news and updates from Dawn
MOSCOW: Russia has started seaborne imports of petrol from India, two industry sources said on Wednesday, in an effort to mitigate fuel shortages triggered by Ukrainian attacks on its energy infrastructure.
Fuel shortages are being felt across Russia’s 11 time zones with rationing, long queues at filling stations and a record petrol price increase. The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Russia was in contact with other countries and discussing imports of fuel at acceptable prices.
An industry source said at least 60,000 metric tons of petrol have been dispatched from India to Russia. Another source said that two tankers, with parcels of 30,000 to 40,000 tons each, have been sent.
A third source said that in total, Russia plans to import 400,000 tons of petrol from various countries each month, including from neighbouring Belarus, which has already been exporting fuel to Russia. Petrol consumption in Russia is at least 110,000 tons per day in summer, when demand for fuel is high.
