Russian authorities are preparing to start importing gasoline from China and other Asian countries. A plan to offset the fuel shortage has already been drafted.
Beyond China, Moscow also aims to purchase gasoline from South Korea and Singapore. The Moscow Times reported the plans, citing Russian media and sources.
The government plans to zero out import duties on fuel entering through designated border checkpoints in the Far East. It will also compensate importers from the budget for the gap between global and domestic prices.
Three companies would be authorized to supply gasoline from Asia: Rosneft, NNK JSC, and the state foreign trade enterprise VO “Promsyrieimport.” This would make it possible to redirect gasoline produced at Siberian refineries—about 150,000 tons a month—to central Russia.
The government also plans to increase gasoline imports from Belarus and lift a ban on the use of monomethylaniline (MMA), an octane-boosting additive that raises output. Due to high toxicity and cancer risks, MMA is banned in most countries but was used in Russia until 2016.
As of late September, 38% of Russia’s refining capacity (338,000 tons per day) was idle. About 70% of the outages resulted from Ukrainian drone attacks.
At least 20 Russian regions, including the occupied territories and Crimea, have faced fuel shortages.
At the same time, fuel prices in Russia are rising. /WORLD/rossija-mozhet-sokratit-dobychu-nefti-iz-za-atak-dronov-reuters.html The occupation “authorities” link the increases to reduced refinery output.
