"Two Ships Carrying Russian Oil and Gas Headed for Cuba" FT

[Financial News]


As Cuba has been plunged into darkness under a U.S. blockade, Russia has emerged as its savior.
The Financial Times (FT) reported on the 18th (local time), citing maritime data firms, that two ships carrying Russian oil and fuel are currently heading to energy-starved Cuba. They are expected to arrive as early as early next week.
Cuba has been suffering from fuel shortages since U.S. President Donald John Trump imposed a ban on oil exports. No energy-carrying vessel has been able to dock in the past three months. The country last received fuel from Mexico on January 9, after which its energy supply routes were cut off.
For many years, Cuba received oil from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, but this route was severed after President Nicolás Maduro Moros was detained by the United States. Mexico also halted fuel supplies under pressure from President Trump, with the last shipment arriving on January 9.
As a result, Cuba suffered a nationwide blackout on the 16th, and only partial power was restored on the 17th, deepening an already severe economic crisis.
Samir Madani, co-founder of TankerTrackers.com, told the FT that the Hong Kong-flagged tanker Seahorse, believed to be carrying about 27,000 tons of Russian natural gas, changed course last month and is now heading for Cuba. He said the ship is expected to dock on the 23rd.
Madani added that the Russian-flagged oil tanker Anatoly Kolodkin is transporting about 100,000 tons of crude oil and is projected to arrive in Cuba on the 4th of next month. Kpler also confirmed that the fuel loaded on the Seahorse is of Russian origin and that the Anatoly Kolodkin tanker is carrying Urals crude oil.
Having cut off Cuba’s energy lifeline, Trump has declared that he will "enjoy the glory of taking over Cuba in one form or another," seeking to restore his damaged image after setbacks in Iran.
By supplying energy to Cuba, Russia has gained additional leverage in dealing with Trump. It could also strengthen its hand in any negotiations over a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine.
Support for Cuba, often described as "America’s backyard," could be used as a geopolitical bargaining chip linked to Ukraine ceasefire talks and the lifting of sanctions on Russia.

dympna@fnnews.com Reporter Song Kyung-jae Reporter