China to take record volume of Russian oil as Europe demand collapses -traders
By Olga Yagova and Gleb Gorodyankin
MOSCOW, March 25 (Reuters) - China is buying a record 1.6 million tonnes of Russian oil by sea loading in the next 2-3 weeks, taking advantage of rock bottom prices for the Russian grade combined with a collapse in demand in Europe, traders said on Wednesday.
The volumes make for a new monthly record of Urals supply to China after they surpassed 1.2 million tonnes in January.
They also provide a lifeline to Russian exporters as they struggle to sell the grade in Europe due to the spread of coronavirus hitting demand. (Additional reporting by Aizhu Chen in Singapore; editing by Jason Neely)