Russia classifies data on oil exports by sea

Russia's oil monopoly Transneft has restricted access to monthly crude export loading schedules from Russian ports.

That's according to Reuters, Ukrinform reports. 

It is noted that Russian oil exporters will be given only the loading dates of their own cargoes in place of the standard practice of agreeing on a document that included full loading plans for all exporters.

The agency's sources added that the loading schedule for June 1-5 would have been issued by now, but this time traders were told that there was nothing to wait for.

Loading plans are usually crucial for Russian oil market participants, including shippers, insurers and oil buyers.

It is noted that such a step is not an isolated case when the Russian government hides important statistics from the market. Thus, in April, the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation restricted access to its statistics on oil and gas production and exports.

French Minister of State for European Affairs Clement Beaune reportedly said on May 10 that the European Union could reach an agreement on an embargo on Russian oil, which is currently blocked by Hungary, "within a week."

On May 9, during a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen learned more about Hungary's position on EU sanctions and energy security, and expressed an intention to step up cooperation with regional partners in oil infrastructure development.