Protest Erupts In Australia Over Product Tanker Carrying Russian Oil

A tanker loaded with Russian oil arrived in Australia, sparking concerns over the role of intermediaries in the oil supply chain.

Many have called to close the loopholes in the prevailing sanctions, focusing on Russian oil trade, as these do not extend to products made from Russian crude in intermediary countries.

The calls for change were heard over Australia after the 113,839 DWT tanker Seferis reached near Western Australia.

The ship left Jamnagar refinery, India, on July 11, 2025 and was carrying gasoline likely refined from Russian stock.

People demanded that the ship be sent back, but it did not violate sanctions since it provided documents that it was loaded in India, and even critics admitted it was impossible to determine the source of the stock.

Trump has threatened to impose secondary sanctions on those who buy Russian oil, including India, unless Russia moves towards peace talks and a ceasefire in Ukraine.

The ship docked at Kwinana terminal, 25 miles south of Perth, on Wednesday, July 30, to offload its cargo.

Australia imposed wide sanctions on Russia since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. For the first time, it also imposed them on its shadow fleet of tankers.

Protestors, citing reports that about half of the feedstock going into Jamnagar came from Moscow, called the fuel ‘blood money’.

They said Australia should immediately stop such imports.

Australia imported around US$650 million of oil products from India in the first 4 months of 2025.

Most of it was made from Russian stock, as 90% of Australia’s imports from India come from the Jamnagar refinery.

Reports have come regarding India’s state refineries suspending purchases of Russian oil this week. However, state refineries are not the largest purchasers, but it is the private companies in India, such as Reliance Industries and Nayara Energy.

After sanctions against Nayara Energy, there have been several reports of tankers diverting from their routes. Also, companies are asking that their contracts be cancelled due to the sanctions.

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