Russia goes to Tanger for its gasoline… it costs it almost twice as much
Russia has brought in around 30,000 tonnes of gasoline loaded in Tanger to address its fuel shortages. But once the cargo arrived in Mourmansk, another problem emerged: importers and Russian authorities cannot agree on the price at which it should be sold.
The cargo of AI-92 gasoline had left Tanger aboard a tanker flying the Panamanian flag. The supplier was the Russian group Lukoil, two industry sources told Reuters.
On Bladi.net : Running short of gasoline, Russia turns to Morocco for supplies
The situation is unusual for a major oil power. After several Ukrainian attacks on its refineries, Russia had to seek gasoline abroad to supply its own market.
But the fuel that arrived in Mourmansk is now facing another difficulty.
A cost almost twice as high as the Russian price
According to InfoTEK, which cites three industry sources, gasoline imported from Morocco and India is at the center of a standoff over its sale price.
Including transportation, port fees and taxes, an imported tonne can cost around 146,600 rubles. Yet AI-92 gasoline was trading at around 77,620 rubles per tonne on the Russian domestic market on August 13.
Selling it at the local price would therefore force the importer to absorb a heavy loss, unless there is public compensation.
The paradox is striking: after going as far as Tanger to seek gasoline to offset its own production difficulties, Russia must now decide who will pay the difference between its import cost and the price paid by motorists.