An alternative oil import route to Russia has been found in Minsk
Belarus has suspended exports of Russian gasoline and diesel fuel to the Baltic states, Poland, and Ukraine, citing the low quality of Russian oil, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
This was stated by Deputy General Director of the Belarusian Oil Company (BNK) Sergei Grib, BelTa reports.
Earlier, Belarusian companies reported a sharp deterioration in the quality of oil coming from Russia. In particular, the management of the Mozyr oil refinery stated that due to low-quality raw materials, expensive equipment at the enterprise failed.
Grib also stated that Belarus expects to begin importing oil through the ports of the Baltic countries or Ukraine by the end of this year as an alternative to Russia.
“We expect to begin deliveries this year,” said a representative of BNK.
Grib said that the ports of the Baltic countries and Ukraine are interested if Belarus “allows an additional flow of oil through their ports, since this is additional income for them.”
When choosing partners, Grib noted, “everything will depend on the conditions that ... neighboring countries provide for transshipment and transportation.”
“Either these are the Baltic ports, or Odessa, or a combination. The Mozyr oil refinery is located closer to Ukraine... it is quite possible that oil will flow through Ukraine. Naftan (JSC Naftan) is closer to the Baltic ports, so it is logical to consider the ports of the Baltic Sea,” said the deputy director of the BNK.
Grib added that Belarus can process oil from Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and a number of other countries. However, he did not specify which specific areas of oil imports are currently being considered by the Belarusian side.
Earlier, Grib emphasized that the Belarusian side was studying the issue of purchasing terminals in Latvia and Lithuania for possible import of oil by sea in the amount of 200-300 thousand tons per month.
Minsk has found an alternative oil import route to Russia.