Shandong Port Group has banned U.S.-sanctioned tankers from calling into its ports in the eastern Chinese province, home to many independent refiners that are the biggest importers of oil from countries under U.

Shandong Port Group has prohibited U.S.-sanctioned tankers from accessing its ports in the eastern Chinese province, three traders familiar with the issue told Reuters. This region, home to many independent refiners,

The Chinese government appears to have been left in the dark about Shandong Port Group’s move to ban US-sanctioned tankers from unloading at its terminals. A spokesperson told reporters at a press conference: “As a matter of principle, I am not aware of the relevant situation,” according to Reuters.

The province imported about 1.74 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil from Iran, Russia and Venezuela last year, accounting for about 17 per cent of China's imports

A major Chinese terminals group has banned US-sanctioned vessels from calling at its ports. Notices obtained by traders and seen by Reuters forbid Shandong Port Group’s (SPG) staff from berthing, unloading or providing services to ships on the US sanctions list.

Shandong Port Group has banned U.S.-sanctioned tankers from calling into its ports in the eastern Chinese province, home to many independent refiners that are the biggest importers of oil from countries under U.

The eastern Chinese province is home to several independent refiners. In the last year, it imported about 1.74 million barrels per day from from Iran, Russia and Venezuela.

China's foreign ministry said on Wednesday it was not aware of Shandong Port Group's decision to ban U.S.-sanctioned vessels

The Shandong Port Group in China's Shandong Province will block tankers affected by U.S. sanctions from using its ports. Despite its declared neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Beijing opposes sanctions on Moscow.