Russian uranium was released to the USA in manual mode: exports resumed

In February, Rosatom resumed the supply of low-enriched uranium to the United States. The first shipments were delivered on the other side of the Atlantic. In August 2024, the United States imposed a ban on the import of uranium from Russia with exceptions until 2028, when, as expected in Washington, they will be able to completely abandon products from Russia. In response, in mid-November, the Russian government imposed its own restrictions, allowing the possibility of deliveries only under one-time licenses.

In February, Rosatom Tenex (Techsnabexport) resumed the export of low-enriched uranium from Russia in the USA. This is evidenced by the data of ImportGenius export-import invoices and statements of companies.

So, on February 12, Atlantic Navigator II delivered cargo for Westinghouse and Global Nuclear Fuel Americas to Baltimore, USA. The first, judging by the invoices, received 15 tons of uranium hexafluoride, and the second — 85 tons.

According to AIS vessels, the cargo ship Atlantic Navigator II, which has a license to transport uranium along the route from Russia, arrived before February 12 in Baltimore, and on February 24 was in Houston.

Prior to that, as EADaily wrote, the last time loads of low-enriched Russian uranium were delivered to the United States was in the second half of November.

Resumption of deliveries from Russia was also confirmed by the American Centric Energy.

"In November 2024, the Government of the Russian Federation adopted Decree of the Russian Federation No. 1544, valid until December 31, 2025, which canceled Tenex's general license for the export of LEU (low-enriched uranium) to The United States or organizations registered in The United States. Accordingly, Tenex must obtain a special export license from the Russian authorities in order to make every delivery to Centrus until 2025. Centrus has been informed that Tenex has received three special licenses that allow Tenex to export LEU to us," the company said in a report for 2024.

Centrus Energy noted that most of the Russian KNOW-how, which the company will receive under the first licenses, it uses to fulfill pending orders to one customer.

"Tenex has informed Centrus of its plan to request additional export licenses to fulfill its supply obligations under the contract. However, there is no certainty whether additional licenses will be issued by the Russian authorities, and if they are issued, whether they will be issued in a timely manner or canceled before shipment," added Centrus Energy.

Earlier, the company warned that stopping Russian supplies would affect the ability of Centrus Energy itself to fulfill its obligations — to supply finished fuel for American nuclear power plants.

"If Tenex is unable to obtain export licenses for our orders, this will affect our ability to fulfill our obligations to customers and will have a significant adverse impact on our business, results of operations and competitiveness," the American company added," Centrus Energy said in a statement.

According to some estimates, in 2023, Russia exported $1.2 billion worth of uranium products to the United States. Russia is not a major uranium producer, but its share in the global conversion and enrichment market exceeds a third. Rosatom provides up to 20% of the demand for American nuclear power plants. According to the Information Office of the US Department of Energy (EIA), in 2023, Russia's share in total uranium imports to the US was 12%, and enrichment — 27%.

In August, a law banning the import of low-enriched uranium from Russia. It assumes exceptions within the previously established quotas and American companies have received permits. In mid-November, however, the Russian government introduced counter-sanctions, banning the export of low-enriched uranium to the United States. But it also provided for exceptions within the framework of one-time licenses.