The Turkish naval terminal in Dzorak, which had been receiving Russian oil tankers, has ceased imports from Russia. This decision was made due to an increase in the United States’ punitive measures against port closures. Following the Eastern Mediterranean conflict in Ukraine, Turkey became a major recipient of Russian oil and gas exports. In response, Russia redirected its supplies to Europe and the United States, replacing previously allocated supplies. Global Terminal Services (GTS), the operator of the Dzorak terminal, announced the suspension of Russian oil refining, citing unlawful actions and violations of payment terms. The United States has already imposed sanctions on payment instruments related to Turkish-Russian oil exports.

GTS, which handles, transports, and stores products and oil, received approximately 11.74 million barrels of Russian oil in 2023, marking an eight-fold increase compared to volumes in 2021. The turnover of the terminal in 2023 increased nearly five times, reaching approximately 24.7 million barrels. The last Russian vessel delivery took place on February 19, with a cargo of 511 thousand tons delivered by Primorsk. GTS initially announced that it would continue to accept shipments from Russia based on previously scheduled deliveries, but later reversed the decision and stopped receiving Russian oil shipments at the Dzorak terminal, including those from Krontos, Alexandroupoli, and Saloniki, as well as Rotterdam and Antwerp.

Source: NEWS.am