US Issues General Licence 134C Allowing Delivery of Russian Oil Already at Sea
The United States has issued General Licence 134C, the fourth in a series of licences permitting the delivery and sale of Russian-origin crude oil and petroleum products already loaded onto vessels prior to 17 April 2026.
The licence authorises all transactions ordinarily necessary for the sale, delivery, and offloading of such cargo — including on vessels blocked under US sanctions — provided the cargo was loaded on or before 12:01am EST on 17 April 2026. It replaces General Licence 134B, which expired on 16 May 2026, and remains valid until 17 June 2026.
Transactions covered under the licence include:
The licence authorises all transactions ordinarily necessary for the sale, delivery, and offloading of such cargo — including on vessels blocked under US sanctions — provided the cargo was loaded on or before 12:01am EST on 17 April 2026. It replaces General Licence 134B, which expired on 16 May 2026, and remains valid until 17 June 2026.
Transactions covered under the licence include:
- Safe docking and anchoring of vessels carrying the relevant cargo
- Preservation of crew health and safety
- Emergency repairs and environmental protection measures
- Vessel management, crewing, bunkering, piloting, registration, flagging, insurance, classification, and salvage services
- The licence explicitly excludes any transactions involving persons or entities in Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Crimea, or the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.
