Spain is increasingly importing diesel from Morocco, Türkiye and Singapore, raising concerns that Russian fuel is entering the European Union through third countries despite sanctions imposed after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Trade data from Spain’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves Corporation (CORES) and shipping intelligence firm Kpler show imports from the three countries have surged since the EU banned Russian petroleum products in 2023, replacing much of the diesel Spain previously bought directly from Russia.
CORES data show Spain imported 76,000 tons of diesel from Morocco in March and April after nearly a year with almost no shipments.
During the same period, Kpler recorded four tankers carrying more than 150,000 tons of diesel from Moroccan ports to Tarragona, Barcelona and Bilbao.
Kpler data also show Morocco imported 489,000 tons of Russian diesel during the first months of 2026, equal to 45% of its total diesel imports. In 2025, Morocco imported 645,000 tons from Russia.
Market participants say re-exporting diesel bought at international prices would not be profitable. They say the economics only make sense if the fuel is purchased at a discount, something Russia has continued to offer as it seeks alternative buyers following Western sanctions.
Spanish refiners say the growing imports are hurting competition. Before sanctions, Russia supplied around 10% of Spain’s imported diesel every year. Since the embargo took effect, Morocco, Türkiye and Singapore have filled much of that gap.
CORES data shows the three countries exported a combined 1.33 million tons of diesel to Spain in 2025, a volume close to Russia’s average annual exports to Spain before the EU ban.
A report by the Finland-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) found that 82% of refined petroleum products imported into three major Turkish ports between January 2025 and January 2026 came from Russia.
Those ports later re-exported 6.7 million tons of refined products to EU countries, including Spain.
Singapore has also become an increasingly important hub. Trade data cited by Reuters shows Russian tankers are using Singapore more frequently as a destination before products are sold onward to international markets.
Once diesel enters another country’s supply chain, tracing its origin becomes extremely difficult. Fuel is stored, blended and traded, making it nearly impossible to determine where the final shipment originated.
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