A sanctioned tanker, reportedly carrying gasoline additive MTBE from China, is navigating Russia's Northern Sea Route, a rare occurrence that suggests ongoing attacks on Russian refineries are forcing the country to seek supplies from Asia, according to Bloomberg and Kpler data. The vessel, Dakar, is moving west along Russia's Arctic coast.

The Dakar tanker, blacklisted by the EU, is carrying MTBE, a gasoline additive. Data from Kpler indicates the chemical was loaded in China and then transferred to the Dakar off the coast of Yosu, South Korea. The vessel's likely destination is Russia, as sanctions complicate access to European ports.