Russian Tanker Arrives in Cuba Amid Global Energy Shortage Crisis

A Russian tanker has arrived at a Cuban port, carrying approximately 730,000 barrels of fuel. The vessel, Anatoly Kolodkin, docked in the Bay of Matanzas on Tuesday morning, marking the first time an oil tanker has reached Cuba in three months.

The US administration allowed the tanker to proceed despite an ongoing energy blockade. According to US officials, this decision was made for humanitarian reasons. The ship entered Cuban territorial waters late on Sunday and arrived at the port area under clear skies and light winds.

Cuba’s energy crisis has been exacerbated by a lack of oil shipments in recent months. President Miguel Diaz-Canel stated that the country had not received an oil tanker in three months, leading to widespread power outages and disruptions to essential services such as hospitals and public transportation.

Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy expressed gratitude to Russia for the support provided through this shipment. The fuel on board the Anatoly Kolodkin is expected to be processed domestically over several days, producing approximately 180,000 barrels of diesel, enough to meet Cuba’s daily demand for nine or ten days.

Cuba relies heavily on imports to sustain its energy grid, with the country producing only about 40% of its required fuel. The shipment marks a significant development in the country’s energy crisis, which has been further complicated by the halt in oil shipments from Venezuela following US sanctions against the South American nation.

Source: Al Jazeera