The Dortyol terminal, a mid-sized Mediterranean oil terminal in Turkey, has decided to discontinue the acceptance of Russian imports following a surge in volumes received last year, amidst escalating sanctions pressure from the United States.
Turkey has emerged as a significant importer of Russian crude oil and fuel since 2022, following sanctions imposed by Western nations on Moscow in response to the invasion of Ukraine. In retaliation, Russia redirected its oil exports away from Europe and the U.S. towards Asia, Turkey, and Africa.
Global Terminal Services (GTS), the operator of the terminal located in Turkey’s southeastern Hatay province, announced that it has informed its clients of its decision to reject any products originating from Russia.
Despite operating in full compliance with sanctions, including the G7’s price cap, GTS stated that it has opted to sever all ties with Russian oil as an additional measure to align with the prevailing sanction regulations.
The terminal received a substantial 11.74 million barrels of Russian crude oil and fuel in 2023, making it Turkey’s seventh-largest import terminal by volume, a significant rise from its position at No.10 in 2021. The volume of Russian crude and fuel imports in 2023 was approximately seven times higher than the total volume received from all sources in 2021.
Exports from the Dortyol terminal also witnessed a notable increase in 2023, surging nearly fivefold compared to 2021, totaling around 24.7 million barrels, according to data from shipping analytics firm Kpler.
While GTS will continue to accept Russian cargoes that were nominated before the ban was enforced in late February, the terminal’s recent stance reflects a strategic shift amidst the evolving geopolitical landscape and the impact of sanctions on international trade dynamics.
The Dortyol terminal’s exports were commonly directed to various destinations, including Greek ports such as Corinth, Elefsis, and Thessaloniki, as well as key Northwest European oil trading, refining, and storage hubs like Rotterdam and Antwerp.
Despite Turkey’s opposition to Western sanctions against Moscow and its criticism of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, Ankara has managed to maintain diplomatic relations with both Russia and Ukraine throughout the conflict. This delicate balancing act underscores Turkey’s strategic positioning amid geopolitical tensions and economic considerations.