Russian tanker arrival in Cuba provides temporary relief

The tanker in Matanzas

Via Granma and the Communist Party of Cuba, translated from the Spanish

MATANZAS - After several months without spotting an oil tanker in Cuban waters, a Russian tanker arrived in the bay of Matanzas on Tuesday morning carrying 100,000 metric tons of crude oil.

As stated in a press release, the load will enable the National Electric System and other economic activities to continue operating for about 10 days.

It was specified that, from the refining of that volume, the first finished products would begin to be distributed in the second half of April.

According to Irenaldo Pérez Cardozo, the deputy director of Cuba Petróleo, refining the crude oil will yield the following derivatives:

- Diesel for electricity generation and vital economic activities.

- Fuel oil for patanas and the Mariel and Moa power plants.

- Liquefied Petroleum Gas for cooking food in critical facilities such as hospitals and other centers.

- A quantity of gasoline to ease the current demand for the product.

The deputy director explains that while the arrival of this crude oil provides significant relief amid the country's severe blackout and transportation issues, the quantity of finished products derived will not meet the fuel demand.

"Anatoly Kolodkin's arrival greatly aids the Cuban people and serves as a powerful symbol of the strong friendship and brotherhood between the governments and citizens of both countries."

The press release reaffirms that Cuba has the right to import fuel to sustain its economy, transportation, hospitals, and industries. Nevertheless, fulfilling this need is impossible under present circumstances because of the ongoing unilateral coercive measures imposed by the U.S. government. These measures hinder the acquisition, financing, and transportation of crude oil and finished products from any international market at the necessary levels.

"As long as this siege persists, every shipment like that of the Anatoly Kolodkin will be received with gratitude, but also with the clear awareness that the country's energy deficit cannot be solved without the lifting of the criminal blockade against the people of Cuba."

An experienced worker at the Supertanker Base described the news as very positive, stating it helps "us to recover somewhat during this challenging time."

There were concerns that this event might not even take place due to the United States Government's hostile and inflexible position, which included going so far as to block fuel from entering the island in order to suffocate the Cuban population.

Despite the doubts, the ship named after the esteemed jurist Anatoly Kolodkin anchored in the Yumurina roadstead with a donation that, while only a small relief amid numerous needs, conveys a powerful message of solidarity.

With the assistance of tugboats, the tanker shifted toward the deep-water dock and soon initiated the proximity operation, awaiting the necessary protocols and the cargo transshipment.

Experts praise the features of Matanzas Bay that facilitate ship operations, along with the storage capacity of the Supertanker Base, where the reconstruction of the four tanks damaged in the August 2022 accident is nearing completion.

This work was translated and shared via a License CC-BY-NC