Russia is short of more than 100 tankers if it wants to continue its current level of crude exports when western nations impose a swathe of new restrictions from 5 December, according to a new research report.

The study by shipbroker Braemar raised questions about the ability of Russia to build a dedicated fleet of ships within six weeks if it refuses to ship crude under the terms of a price cap demanded by G7 nations as a price for its invasion Ukraine.