Authorities in the United States confirmed today (Tuesday) that an oil tanker making its way from Russia to the state of Louisiana has been stopped. The tanker, which was owned by a Greek shipping company, sailed from the Black Sea region of Russia earlier this month, and was scheduled to reach its destination on Tuesday.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the tanker was leased by Vital, a Swiss company that supplies goods, which had previously announced its accession to sanctions imposed on Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine.
The ship was stopped and prevented from unloading its cargo, according to sources involved in the matter, and it is being inspected by the United States Customs and Border Protection Agency.
A spokesman for the trading company Vitol said in response that the company is acting in accordance with all relevant laws, and does not violate the sanctions imposed, and refused to give further reference.
As you may recall, last March President Biden announced the cessation of energy imports from Russia, by preventing the supply of crude oil, gas and coal to US ports.