The Maersk Magellan, a Singapore-registered ship, was refused entry into the port of Tarragona by Spain on February 10 because it was carrying oil products of Russian origin, the country’s Transport Ministry announced.
European embargo on Russian crude oil
The Maersk Magellan was planning to unload diesel in Tarragona, having received the cargo from the Nobel, a Cameroonian-registered vessel that was sailing under the Russian flag until July 1, the ministry said.
On February 5, the European Union followed the 2022 Russian crude oil embargo with a ban on diesel imports from Russia. An EU standard applies to vessels that have changed flag after February 24, 2022.
Spain hardens its position on Russian ships
The Spanish action follows press reports on February 9 in El Confidencial and Europa Press that the port authority in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa had sent a written warning to two local service providers not to assist Russian vessels operating in international waters nearby.
According to port authority sources, service providers could be in violation of the sanctions if they assist in ship-to-ship transfers that regularly take place in the region, the reports said, without citing sources.
The Port Authority declined to comment on February 13
The Alboran Sea, near the Strait of Gibraltar, is witnessing an increase in STS transfer volumes of Russian crude oil and products for international markets.
Indeed, the Maersk Magellan took its diesel cargo via STS from a third ship, Elephant, in the Alboran Sea, whose diesel cargo had a certificate of origin showing it was previously on board the Nobel, according to the ministry.
