Sanctioned tanker Leruo heads for New York with Russian diesel as Democrats warn US ports
Seven lawmakers tell Houston, Beaumont, Corpus Christi and New York/New Jersey to keep their records while the UK and EU hold their sanctions
The Sierra Leone-flagged tanker Leruo, which is on both the UK and EU sanctions lists, is carrying about 40,000 tons of Russian diesel across the Atlantic and is expected off New York around 7 November. She loaded at Primorsk on 16 October and is signalling the US Atlantic coast "for orders". On the way she passed through the UK's exclusive economic zone near Shetland without being stopped, possibly because no Royal Navy frigate was available.
The voyage follows the US decision of 9 October, part of a deal with Moscow, to lift sanctions on purchases of Russian diesel. The US Treasury says the import arrangements are legal. London and Brussels say their own sanctions remain in force.
Which other cargoes are moving?
Two more tankers with Russian diesel are in the Atlantic trade. The Maltese-flagged Agioi Fanendes, which is not sanctioned, has passed the Skagerrak with an undeclared destination, and Morocco may be resuming Russian diesel imports. The Palau-flagged Dolunay is bound for Alanya in Turkey on 1 November; Turkey plans to take Russian diesel again and has cut domestic production to use the cheaper supply. Tracking data shows three tankers loaded with Russian diesel under way for North America.
What are the lawmakers warning?
Six Democrats and the departing Republican senator Thom Tillis have written to the ports of Houston, Beaumont, Corpus Christi and New York/New Jersey, and to the six largest Wall Street banks, asking them to preserve their records and correspondence. Handling the cargoes "may be subject to legal action, as well as congressional investigation", the letter says. The signatories are Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Coons, Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, Sheldon Whitehouse and Tillis, with Representative Gregory Meeks, who is in line to chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee if the Democrats win the House.
The letter rests on the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act of 2022, which banned Russian energy products and can only be waived with the consent of Congress and a presidential certification that the war in Ukraine is over. Neither has happened. Representative Jamie Raskin, in line to chair the House Judiciary Committee, separately warned the American Petroleum Institute, the US Chamber of Commerce and the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers that importers "may therefore have to face both civil and criminal penalties, including up to 20 years' imprisonment."
The US produces more diesel than it uses and exports about 1.6 million barrels a day. Russia, by contrast, is short of the fuel: Ukrainian drone strikes have left its refineries running an estimated 40% to 50% below capacity.
This story is part of the Maritime Briefing of 28 October 2026.
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