Russian crude oil arrivesPhilippines receives first Russian oil shipment in five years Sierra Leone-flagged oil tanker Sara Sky as photographed in September 2024 at Kawasaki port in Japan. MANILA, Philippines — Days after signaling plans to import crude from Moscow amid the Iran crisis, the Philippines has reportedly received its first oil shipment from Russia in five years. Crude oil tanker Sara Sky arrived and moored at Limay anchorage in Bataan on Monday, according to shipping tracker Marine Traffic. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin earlier confirmed that Petron had negotiated a deal to procure crude oil from Russia. Before tensions escalated, Petron’s Bataan refinery sourced around 98 percent of its crude oil imports from the Middle East, according to the DOE.

Source: Philippine Star March 25, 2026 16:10 UTC