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“Sanctions Ripple Through China’s Energy Lifeline.”

Unipec Diverts Supertanker After US Sanctions Hit Shandong Oil Terminal

China’s Unipec, the trading arm of Sinopec, has diverted its Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) New Vista from Rizhao Port in Shandong after the US imposed sanctions on the Rizhao Shihua Crude Oil Terminal. The vessel, carrying 2 million barrels of Abu Dhabi’s Upper Zakum crude, will now discharge at Ningbo and Zhoushan ports on October 15, according to LSEG data. The Rizhao terminal, partly owned by a Sinopec logistics unit, was sanctioned by the US Treasury for allegedly receiving Iranian oil from blacklisted vessels. Shandong, a major refining hub, relies heavily on this terminal, which handles about 20% of Sinopec’s crude imports. The diversion underscores the growing geopolitical strain impacting China’s oil logistics and supply chain.