Belarus actively seeking an alternative to Russian oil from the beginning of this year, bought the first shipment of oil from Saudi Arabia, according to the state oil company "Belneftekhim".
it is Reported that the company bought 80,000 tonnes of crude oil Arab Light by a public company, Saudi Aramco for delivery to the port of klaipėda in may of 2020.
This move reflects the growing competition in the physical markets of oil between Russia and Saudi Arabia as both countries are fighting for markets in the conditions of falling world demand for oil.
Minsk made many efforts to diversify oil sources amid a pricing dispute with Moscow, which led to a partial suspend supplies Russian oil to Belarus in January.
In April, the two States reached an agreement, and pipeline deliveries of Russian oil to Belarus was fully resumed, but Minsk said that in any case will keep alternative supplies of oil.
the Ionic Astrapi Tanker loaded crude oil at Sidi Kerir 27 April and is expected to arrive in Klaipeda on may 11.
Oil is shipped to refineries by rail.
Crude oil Arab Light closest to the quality of the Russian flagship Urals crude oil, making it the most suitable for the Belarusian oil refineries, according to traders.
According to traders, Saudi Aramco lowered its official selling prices for April, the volume within the price war with Russia, making it an attractive oil for Belarusian oil refineries, despite the high transport costs.
