A tanker carrying the first cargo of Russian diesel for the United States has come to a halt ​off the US east coast, shipping data showed on Tuesday, with its ‌operator saying its destination had not yet been decided.

Axar.az reports, citing Reuters, that US President Donald Trump last month announced a surprise deal with Moscow to import diesel from Russia to help lower prices at the pumps ahead of ​this month's US midterm elections.

The Malta-flagged tanker Agioi Fanendes was loaded with 40,000 ​metric tons of ultra-low sulphur diesel in Russia's Baltic port of Primorsk ⁠on October 22, LSEG shipping data showed, with an expected delivery date of ​November 7.

But the Greece-based company which manages Agioi Fanendes, Eastmed, said a week later that ​the vessel was proceeding awaiting orders and that a port of discharge had not yet been nominated or finalised.

"Nothing has changed regarding the vessel's destination, she is still awaiting orders," Greece-based vessel manager ​Eastmed told Reuters on Tuesday.