The head of Sovcomflot, Igor Tonkovidov, noted in discussions about 2022 that the majority of Russia’s oil cargoes were moved by fleets based in countries considered hostile to Russia. This observation was shared during a presentation at the National Oil and Gas Forum, where Tonkovidov emphasized that the global oil trade remains largely in the hands of foreign shipowners, particularly those from non-hostile nations, despite Russia’s own export efforts.
Tonkovidov explained that by the close of 2022 Sovcomflot was responsible for a relatively small slice of Russia’s total oil shipments, accounting for about 14 percent. He framed this figure within a broader maritime export landscape, suggesting that the country’s oil and gas exports continue to rely heavily on foreign-owned tankers, a point he underscored as part of a larger strategic reality facing Russia’s energy logistics.
During the same briefing, the executive highlighted a trend where Russia has increased crude oil exports even as domestic processing of this resource rose beyond the levels seen in the previous year. The message conveyed was one of resilience in export capacity, even as the composition of the shipping fleet transporting the oil remains dominated by non-Russian players in the global market.
Analysts cited by industry experts attributed the apparent export growth to strong demand from major markets such as China, India, and Turkey. They noted that shipments to European destinations by sea reached a recorded rate of about 83,000 barrels per day for a period spanning nearly a month until April 21, reflecting a dynamic pattern in the Arctic and global maritime routes. The figures align with observed shifts in trade flows and illustrate the complex interplay between sanctions, fleet availability, and the pricing environment that shaped Russia’s oil exports during that period, as reported by TASS and corroborated by market observers.