MOSCOW, (Reuters) – Russian oil buyers are facing difficulties with payments and vessel availability following the imposition Western sanctions against Moscow. Traders said Monday that BP Plc had cancelled fuel oil loads from a Black Sea port.

Following Russia’s incursion into Ukraine on Thursday, the West has imposed a range of broad sanctions including those on banks. Russia refers to its actions as a “special operation” in order to disarm Ukraine.

Russian oil producer Surgutneftegaz further emphasized the sanctions mess. Surgutneftegaz did not tender its spot bid for 200,000 tonnes Urals oil from Baltic ports in march as there were no buyers.

USA and allies tried to prevent certain Russian banks access to SWIFT, an international payment system.

According to a Russian source, it is possible to charter Black Sea oil tankers but the rates for these exports can reach 500 Worldscale points.

Even the huge Russian energy sector hasn’t been affected by sanctions. Russia supplies 40% of Europe’s oil, and produces 10% of the global oil.

Russian oil buyers reported difficulty finding vessels in the Baltic Sea to load cargoes after March 10. They also claimed that the freight cost for Russian oil deliveries had risen fivefold within one week.

Sources at large buyers of Russian Urals oil said that although they have vessels for most dates, it is not clear how cargoes will be loaded in March.

According to sources, BP also cancelled its Russian Black Sea Port of Taman oil cargoes due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Sources and a port loading list indicated that BP had been scheduled to load a 60,000 tonne freight of oil fuel on March 5. Although a tanker had been found, the cargo was cancelled.