Russian companies are using the Indonesian port of Karimun to bypass Western sanctions by transshipping oil and petroleum products through the free trade zone, according to the Foreign Intelligence Service.
Faced with ongoing sanctions, Moscow is actively seeking new export routes. By 2025, Karimun has become the main transshipment hub for Russian oil, operating beyond the control of Indonesian authorities due to its location outside regular jurisdiction.
At the port, Russian oil is blended with products from other countries. Once mixed, the oil is reclassified as Indonesian, allowing it to avoid Western sanctions. The products are then shipped to destinations such as Singapore, Malaysia, and China.
Since early 2025, around 590,000 tons of fuel oil have passed through Karimun from Russia’s Ust-Luga port. This figure marks a significant rise from the 100,000 tons exported between January and March 2024. In addition, the port has handled 217,000 tons of diesel, 50,000 tons of crude oil, and another 217,000 tons of diesel fuel this year.
Between March and April 2025, at least three tankers subject to EU and UK sanctions made deliveries to Karimun. These shipments were facilitated by obscure trading companies, which frequently change names to avoid detection and maintain access to global markets.
The use of the port highlights how Russian energy exports are adapting to international restrictions, raising concerns about enforcement gaps in global sanctions regimes.
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