Business news

MINSK, 15 September (BelTA) – Belarus Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko commented on the possible transport of Belarus’ petroleum products through Russian infrastructure as he talked to the media on 15 September, BelTA has learned.

When asked whether Belarus is considering transporting petroleum products via Russia seaports, Vladimir Semashko said that the country is evaluating such a proposal. “But we evaluate every proposal. Economy should be prioritized. If we get a beneficial proposal, even a slightly better one than those we have now, we will take a close look at it,” Vladimir Semashko remarked.

He recalled that Belarus and Russia have set oil supplies straight for the period until 2025. “We signed a package of seven documents on 13 April. Three of them are intergovernmental agreements which, among other things, regulate oil supplies. The volume of supplies, the regulation mechanism for these volumes, terms and obligations - we have settled these matters till 2025,” Vladimir Semashko clarified.

BelTA earlier quoted Acting Director General of Belarusian Oil Company Sergei Grib as saying whether the flow of Belarusian petroleum products will be redirected to the seaports of Northwest Russia or not. “Russian Railways has given us a 50% discount on the transport of Belarusian fuel oil, diesel fuel, and petrol toward the port railway stations of the Oktyabrskaya Railway. We consider the possibility of exporting Belarusian petroleum products through Russian seaports on a regular basis. However, even allowing for Russian Railways’ discount, rail rates in other directions are lower than the Russian ones,” Sergei Grib added.