New Jersey warns terminals off Russian diesel as Agioi Fanendes sails on for orders

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has told port and terminal operators to turn away tankers carrying Russian diesel, arguing that the federal authorisation behind the trade breaks US law and could leave handlers facing penalties of millions of dollars.

In a letter sent on Monday 2 November, Sherrill said the state would use its legal and regulatory powers to stop the cargoes being unloaded at New Jersey terminals.

"Every port and terminal operator, intermediary, and buyer is on notice: do not help bring illegal Russian diesel into New Jersey," she said.

The dispute turns on General License 135, issued by the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control on 9 October. It authorises the sale, delivery, offloading and importation of Russian-origin diesel until 7 April 2027. Sherrill argues that it conflicts with the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act of April 2022, which banned Russian oil and petroleum products, that the president and Treasury cannot lift that ban without Congress, and that the licence should have gone through congressional review.

Her letter says companies taking part in an unlawful import could face penalties equal to the value of the cargo under federal customs law. The Treasury maintains that its authorisation complies with the law, which leaves operators between a federal licence and state and congressional warnings about future liability.

Where are the tankers now?

The Malta-flagged product tanker Agioi Fanendes loaded about 40,000 tonnes of diesel at Primorsk on 22 October. She first listed New York as her destination, with arrival around 7 November, but has since changed her AIS destination to "for orders", leaving the discharge port open.

Windward's assessment of 3 November found she appears to be the only one of three Russian diesel tankers reported as heading for the US that is still on a course for the East Coast. The other two, Talisman and Leruo, have changed their declared destinations. Windward says no Russian diesel has yet been delivered to the United States under the licence.

The letter follows Senator Richard Blumenthal's call in late October for the ship's owner to turn back. It is not yet clear whether any tanker will try to discharge at a New Jersey terminal.

This story is part of the Maritime Briefing of 5 November 2026.