Cuba will take about 96 hours to unload Russian tanker before refining begins (Photos)
The unloading of the Russian tanker Anatoli Kolodkin, which docked with 740,000 barrels of crude oil this Tuesday at the port of Matanzas, west of Cuba, will be delayed by approximately 96 hours, amid the severe energy crisis the island is going through. EFE The vessel, which belongs to the Sovkomflot corporation sanctioned by the US since 2024 [...]
TL;DR
- A Russian oil tanker, the Anatoli Kolodkin, has arrived in Matanzas, Cuba, with 740,000 barrels of crude oil.
- The unloading process is estimated to take around 96 hours, in addition to 6 hours for towing and docking.
- This is the first oil shipment to Cuba in three months and is crucial for alleviating the island's severe energy crisis.
- The crude oil will be refined into liquefied petroleum gas, gasoline, diesel, and fuel oil.
- Products will be distributed to vital services like hospitals and used for electricity generation, especially diesel.
- The shipment is expected to support the National Electric System and other economic activities for approximately 10 days.
- The vessel belongs to Sovkomflot, a Russian corporation sanctioned by the US since 2024.
- Cuba has been experiencing a severe energy crisis since mid-2024, exacerbated by US oil sanctions.
- US actions have been described by the UN as 'actions that violate human rights'.
- The crisis has resulted in prolonged daily blackouts and near-total economic paralysis.
- Refined products are expected to begin distribution in the second half of April.