The Liberian-flagged and sanctioned oil tanker ST George (IMO: 9412775) has anchored in Hurd’s Bank – a common practice conducted by oil tankers selling oil in the area. Ships often anchor at Hurd’s Bank in periods of bad weather but Russia has been using Hurd’s Bank as an oil supply and trading hub. The ship was loaded with its cargo at the Russian port of Ust-Luga.
Following the US military intervention in Venezuela and its forced takeover by the US, the trafficking of Venezuelan oil in the Mediterranean Sea to places such as Libya, Hurd’s Bank and Russia will be further constrained and disrupted. Venezuela played an important role in Russia’s oil industry with Rosneft being one of the main facilitators of the trafficking of Venezuelan crude oil in the Mediterranean Sea. Rosneft is currently under US sanctions.
Feature image from Vessel Finder. Image below from Marine Traffic.
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