Havana, Cuba. A tanker reportedly carrying Russian fuel is heading to Cuba, a move seen as testing the sanctions regime under US President Donald Trump’s administration. Cuba is facing a sharp energy crisis, and the Sea Horse is expected to arrive in early March with fuel for power generation and transport, according to Bloomberg.
Shipment details and cargo origin
Shipping data from Kpler Ltd shows the Sea Horse took on its cargo via a ship-to-ship transfer off the coast of Cyprus. Matt Smith, the company’s lead oil analyst, estimated the vessel is carrying nearly 200,000 barrels of Russian gasoil, a diesel-type fuel widely used in transport and electricity production.
Cuba’s dependence on imported fuel
Cuba has no significant domestic oil production and relies heavily on imported fuel or crude oil to run its refineries.
Sanctions enforcement and vessel seizures
It remains unclear whether the Sea Horse will manage to bypass the US blockade. Authorities have already seized at least nine vessels involved in transporting sanctioned oil.
Russia is facing intensified international sanctions due to the four-year war in Ukraine. At the same time, the US and European countries have stepped up efforts to seize tankers from the so-called “shadow fleet” used to move sanctioned oil.
Caribbean shipping disruptions
US military presence in the Caribbean has significantly restricted oil flows to Cuba. Earlier this month, the tanker Ocean Mariner, frequently used for deliveries to the island, changed course and listed the Bahamas as its final destination, according to ship-tracking data.
That vessel had loaded 30,000 barrels of diesel at the Colombian port of Barranquilla, according to a shipping report cited by Bloomberg.
Worsening energy crisis
Cuba’s energy situation has deteriorated dramatically, with available power dropping since the start of the year. Satellite images show night-time lighting has decreased by up to 50%. In January, Cuba received no oil at all for the first time in a decade, increasing pressure on the country’s economy.
What impact could continued fuel supply disruptions have on daily life in Cuba?