The resumption of Venezuela’s oil trade, facilitated by U.S. management, has led to renewed shipments from the state oil company PDVSA. Some of these oil deliveries are being transported by the same shadow fleet tankers that have historically carried Venezuelan oil. However, under new guidelines, these vessels are now navigating ports with stricter port State control (PSC) inspection protocols, leading to the detention of at least two older tankers in Caribbean regions.
The Caribbean Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (CMOU) has reported that two small tankers, Morning Sun and Regina, have been detained in Dutch-affiliated territories, specifically in St. Eustatius and Curacao. Initial reports from NRC indicate that both vessels were involved in transporting Venezuelan oil, with Regina previously linked to a joint marketing initiative involving Trafigura and U.S. interests.
The detention of Regina poses a potential obstacle for Curacao, which has aspirations of establishing itself as a trading hub for what is increasingly becoming legitimate Venezuelan oil. The Prime Minister of Curacao, Gilmar Pisas, had greeted Regina warmly on her first visit to the island, underscoring the significance of the Venezuelan oil trade for the local economy. However, if local inspectors continue to enforce regulations rigorously, many aging shadow fleet vessels may find it difficult to dock at Curacao’s oil terminal.
Regina’s issues appear to extend beyond general PSC concerns; she was reportedly found attempting to fly the flag of East Timor, which does not maintain an international shipping registry. This has prompted East Timor’s authorities to request investigations into vessels falsely claiming its flag.
An inquiry is currently underway regarding the vessel’s flagging and overall condition. In St. Eustatius, the Morning Sun, a tanker built in 1996 and flying the flag of Panama, has been detained due to significant inspection deficiencies. Records show that her last PSC inspection outside of Venezuela was in 2018 and highlighted various issues, including problems with fire safety measures and watertight hatchway seals. Officials in St. Eustatius confirmed that the latest inspection revealed too many deficiencies to permit the vessel’s departure.
The unfolding situation with these vessels underscores the complexities and challenges that come with rekindling Venezuela’s oil trade in an evolving regulatory landscape. As the demand for Venezuelan oil rises, authorities will need to balance economic aspirations with stringent safety and regulatory standards to ensure a secure and sustainable trading environment.
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