Diverted Russian Tanker Creates Spark In Columbia

399

  • Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has restricted its oil market.
  • Cuba has increased imports from Venezuela, Russian and other countries to cover fuel losses aggravated by a deadly fire.
  • A tanker from Russia carrying 300,000 barrels of diesel toward Cuba anchored off Columbian waters.
  • The tanker indicated Cartagena as its intended destination but later changed its course to Matanzas Terminal in Cuba.

A Russian Tanker had diverted from Columbian waters to Cuba, reports biz.crast.net

The Russian Diesel Cargo

A tanker from Russia carrying 300,000 barrels of diesel toward Cuba anchored off Columbian waters. Western sanctions on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have confined its oil market. Cuba has increased imports from Venezuela, Russian and other countries to cover fuel losses aggravated by a deadly fire.

Refinitiv Eikon’s data show that the vessel loaded onto Russia’s Far Eastern port Nakhodka and entered Colombia’s Cartagena anchorage area but did not discharge from there. The tanker indicated Cartagena as its intended destination but later changed its course to Matanzas Terminal in Cuba.

As Reuters reports, it was difficult to determine whether the tanker had transferred its cargo to another ship at Cartegana Anchorage.

Political Response

 Diplomatic relations between Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro and Venezuela have started to announce oil industry reforms.

Colombia’s energy minister said that there are no restrictions on the origin of the cargo arriving in the country.

Ecopetrol, Colombia’s biggest fuel importer said that Russian oil cargoes were banned in the country. Shipping database Equisys said that the ship has been managed by Sun Ship Management since April. Sun SM, previously known as SCF Management Services, is a unit of Sovcomflot of Russia. Sovcomflot is subject to US, British and Canadian sanctions and has lost insurance for its fleet by Western firms. 

After Russia invaded Ukraine, some countries including Brazil and Cuba have continued to import Russian oil and fuel but diesel consumption in Latin America has returned to pre-pandemic levels, raising the need for imports.

Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?

It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe

Source: biz.crast.net