Distressed Venezuelan Supertanker Discharging Oil Cargo in Asia - Sources
A U.S.-sanctioned Venezuela-owned supertanker that had mechanical problems since January is transferring its 2-million-barrel cargo of heavy crude to other vessels in Asia, according to three people familiar with the matter.
The very large crude carrier (VLCC) Maximo Gorki left Venezuela in November amid an export push designed to generate funds for cash-strapped state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), which has been under U.S. trading sanctions since 2019.
Aging infrastructure problems, including a lack of oil storage and vessels, frequent refinery outages and export port congestion, are undermining PDVSA's increased oil production, impeding efforts to boost revenue, according to company documents and sources. Read full story
The carrier could not complete its cargo delivery on time after delays caused by mechanical problems, forcing PDVSA to replace its crew and look for new vessels able to receive the transferred cargo at sea, according to one of the sources.
https://www.marinelink.com/news/distressed-venezuelan-supertanker-494557
