Gasoline imported into Russia from Morocco has yet to reach the domestic market as Russian oil companies and regulators dispute how the costly foreign fuel should be priced, Russian energy publication InfoTEK reported on Aug. 14, citing three industry sources.
The dispute comes after Russia imported about 30,000 metric tons of AI-92 gasoline from Morocco to ease shortages caused by Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries. A Panama-flagged tanker loaded the cargo in Tangier in mid-July before sailing to the Arctic port of Murmansk, Reuters reported on July 31.
InfoTEK said gasoline imported from Morocco and India has not yet entered Russia’s domestic market because companies argue the price must reflect high transport, insurance, tax and handling costs.
One industry source said companies were seeking prices of up to 150,000 rubles per metric ton, while regulators wanted the fuel sold closer to domestic market levels. Russian AI-92 gasoline traded at about 77,620 rubles per ton on Aug. 13, although prices vary by supplier and delivery point.
InfoTEK calculated that imported gasoline could cost about 146,600 rubles per ton after freight, port handling, excise duties and VAT, making sales at prevailing domestic prices potentially loss-making without government compensation.
Russia turned to Morocco, India and other suppliers after refinery outages cut gasoline production to about 65% of average summer consumption by early July, according to Reuters. Moscow also restricted fuel exports and increased supplies from Belarus and Kazakhstan.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.