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Cuban Government News

10 Aug 2023

Cuban Oil Tankers Becoming Regular Visitors to Mexican Ports

Cuba has begun using its own tankers to ramp up crude imports from Mexico, which in the second quarter surpassed Russia as a key oil provider to the fuel-thirsty island, according to vessel monitoring data.Following days-long lines to fill drivers' tanks and power blackouts, the communist-run nation saddled with harsh U.S. economic sanctions has broadened its sources of oil imports in a move to ease fuel scarcity, replenish stocks and reduce dependence on its traditional and largest supplier, Venezuela. Washington has also sanctioned Venezuela's oil industry since 2019 over election-fraud claims.Mexico has emerged as a top provider, sending oil on a vessel owned by state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) and ships managed by Cuba.

31 Aug 2022

Cuba Seeks More Electricity Supply from Turkish Powerships

©IzzetNoyan/AdobeStock

Cuba, mired in an energy crisis that has brought frequent blackouts, is negotiating with a Turkish company to have it double the megawatts it currently produces for the country from shipboard generators just offshore, according to two people with knowledge of the discussions.Cuban officials are in talks with Karpowership, one of the world’s largest operators of floating power plants and part of the Turkey-based Karadeniz Holding, the sources said. The company already has five…

09 Aug 2022

Devastating Fire May Force Cuba to Resort to Expensive Floating Oil Storage

Illustration only - Credit: Stockr/AdobeStock

An inferno at Cuba's largest oil storage facility has killed at least one firefighter, injured many more, and threatens to further swell the fuel import bill for the impoverished island nation that relies on foreign oil for everything from transportation to its power grid.Cuban officials may need to scramble to set up expensive floating storage capacity to handle imports aimed at easing an acute fuel scarcity, sources and experts said on Monday.Cuba relies on the 2.4-million-barrel Matanzas terminal…

26 May 2022

Boat Carrying 800 Haitians to US Washes Ashore in Cuba Instead

Illustration only - Credit: davide bonaldo/AdobeStock

A boat carrying 842 Haitian migrants bound for the United States strayed off course and washed ashore along the north coast of Cuba instead, according to Cuban state media reports on Wednesday, leaving island authorities scrambling to provide the group with humanitarian aid.State broadcaster Telecubanacan showed images of a single large gray ship crowded with Haitians lining the decks from bow to stern, and even on the rooftop, as it swayed in rough, windswept seas.The boat was found early on Tuesday near Caibarien…

23 Jul 2021

Mexico Sending Navy Ships with Food and Medical Supplies to Cuba

Credit: Oleksii/AdobeStock

Mexico will send two navy ships loaded with food and medical supplies to Cuba, the foreign ministry said on Thursday, after President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador blamed the U.S. embargo for fomenting the biggest unrest in Cuba in decades.The ships will leave the port of Veracruz in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday, taking syringes, oxygen tanks, and masks along with powdered milk, cans of tuna, beans, flour, cooking oil, and gasoline.The shipments exemplify Mexico's policy of "international…

09 Oct 2020

US Sanctions: Spotlight on Cuba

© Bernd / Adobe Stock

The U.S. maintains a comprehensive sanctions program against Cuba, generally prohibiting all trade between the two nations, subject to multiple exceptions. In a previous article we addressed U.S. comprehensive sanctions generally, focusing on Iran, Syria and North Korea. Because the Cuba sanctions program has several idiosyncrasies that are unique to Cuba we address the Cuba sanctions program on its own.Background to Cuba sanctionsThe Cuba sanctions program is the oldest U.S. sanctions program still in existence.

25 Jan 2017

First Cuba to US Cargo Shipment Arrives

A shipment of artisanal charcoal made its way from Cuba to Port Everglades aboard Crowley’s container ship K Storm, marking the first truly commercial shipment from a Cuban cooperative to a private U.S. business since the U.S.-Cuba trade embargo was imposed more than 50 years ago. Crowley was the first U.S. carrier to obtain a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury to provide regularly scheduled common carrier services for licensed cargo from the U.S. to Cuba. Crowley launched its Cuba service in December 2001, becoming the first U.S. carrier to reenter the country in nearly 40 years, and has maintained a regularly scheduled service ever since, currently operating from Port Everglades in Florida.

11 Oct 2016

New Orleans Port Signs Mou With Cuba

Port of New Orleans Chief Operating Officer Brandy Christian joined Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards in signing a memorandum of understanding with Cuba on Oct. 4 pledging to expand trade and commerce opportunities between Louisiana and the Caribbean nation. The agreement also calls for joint marketing and information sharing efforts to meet those objectives. “The proximity and historical relationship between Cuba and the Port of New Orleans has us well-positioned should the trade embargo be lifted, and we are prepared to play an important role in trade when the time comes,” said Christian, who signed the MOU with Gov. Edwards and Director General Manuel Fernandez Perez Guerra of the National Port Administration of Cuba.

13 Sep 2016

This Day In Naval History: September 13

Christening Ceremony of the Cheyenne (SSN-773) (Photo by Jim Hemeon, courtesy of General Dynamics Electric Boat)

1803 - Commodore John Barry dies at Philadelphia, Pa., having served in numerous commands and over vessels in the Continental Navy during the American Revolution and in the newly formed U.S. Navy. 1814 - During the War of 1812, the British bomb Fort McHenry at Baltimore Harbor for 25 hours. The sight of Fort McHenrys flag and the British withdrawing from Baltimore the next morning inspires Francis Scott Key to write the Star Spangled Banner. 1847 - During the Mexican-American War, Chapultepec - the gateway to Mexico City - is successfully stormed by Marines.

13 Jul 2016

Port of Barcelona Looks to Panama, Cuba for Growth

Photo: Panama Canal Authority

Panama and Cuba, both in the midst of growth and international expansion, are examples of two different economic models that are helping to attract foreign companies through government initiatives providing investor security. Seeking to generate business opportunities and strengthen corporate and institutional ties between the Cuban and Panamanian logistics communities, the Port of Barcelona said it has planned a multi-sector trade mission to Panama City and Havana from November 19 to 25.

19 Dec 2015

Cuban Migrant Crisis: USCG Still Focused on Saving Lives

The crew could not have been separated from the dock for more than an hour. The thick salt air had barely filled their lungs. Cell phone towers in Key West, Florida, were still visible with a squint of an eye. A voice rang out on the back deck, “Two seven zero. Three hundred yards! A crewmember from Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team South, Miami, had spotted what appeared to be Cuban nationals on a make-shift raft, headed for the U.S. The highly trained law enforcement official was one of two TACLET South team members sent to supplement the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Kathleen Moore, homeported in Key West. A voice rang through the 154-foot cutter, “Now set AMIO phase one!” Alien Migrant Interdiction Operations had begun.

27 Jul 2015

Pearl Seas Cruises Adds Voyages to Cuba

Pearl Mist (Photo: Pearl Seas Cruises)

Pearl Seas Cruises plans to launch a series of “cultural voyages” from the United States to Cuba beginning in the spring of 2016, the cruise line announced today. Offering 7- to 10-night voyages aboard the line’s newest vessel, the 210-passenger luxury ship Pearl Mist, the round trip voyage from South Florida will visit several Cuban ports including Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba. Pearl Seas Cruises plans itineraries on both the Southern and Northern coasts of Cuba, featuring people-to-people cultural exchanges authorized under U.S. law to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

12 May 2015

Balearia Requests US-Cuba Ferry License

Photo courtesy of Balearia

Balearia has requested a license to operate between the U.S. and Cuba from the U.S. Treasury Department, after both countries' announcement of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations. The shipping company is awaiting an official response from the U.S. government, and the subsequent authorization from the Cuban government. The Spanish maritime transport company has operated in the Caribbean region since late 2011 under the brand Bahamas Express, connecting Fort Lauderdale (north of Miami) and Freeport (in Grand Bahama Island).

06 May 2015

US Approves Ferry Service to Cuba

The United States Treasury Department has authorized passenger ferry services to Cuba for the first time in more than a half-century, in a major step in improving relations between the two countries. At least four companies said they were notified Tuesday of approvals by the U.S. Treasury and Commerce departments, the first since Washington imposed a trade embargo on Cuba. Licensed were Havana Ferry Partners of Fort Lauderdale, Baja Ferries of Miami, United Caribbean Lines Florida of Greater Orlando and Airline Brokers Co. of Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The proposed ferry services must still obtain Havana’s approval, lawyers for the companies said, but that the U.S. move clears the way for negotiations.

14 Apr 2015

Cuban Port Eyes Pact with Panama Canal expansion

The Port of Mariel, Cuba, aims to become the best choice transshipment in the region from the Panama Canal expansion. According to the Mariel terminal sources, "The port has possibility to connect with everyone from the Panama Canal expansion" and its geographical position "facilitates the export to the Caribbean and to the East Coast American production that takes place in special development zone. The commercial director of the container terminal in Mariel, Marcelo Lluveras, stressed the importance of expanding the Panama waterway and the opportunity for all ports that have the conditions created. Projections of modern terminal Cuban containers…

16 Jan 2015

US Revises Cuba Sanctions Regulations

The U.S. Treasury Department, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has publish revised Cuba sanctions regulations opening trade with Cuba for the first time in decades. Those changes, issued January 16, 2015, are the first step in moving toward normal relations with Cuba. The revised regulations ease certain limitations on travel to Cuba and certain associated services (e.g., insurance services), broaden exports and imports, and make financial transactions related to authorized transactions easier. The biggest impacts appear to be in travel, telecommunications, financial services and exports to the Cuban private sector. A pre-release of the revised regulations from the U.S.

21 Aug 2014

Cuba Struggles to Attract Investors Despite Reforms

Photo: Lukas Mathis

Cuba has yet to attract new foreign investors despite launching two major initiatives in the past year, a sign of the lingering caution over doing business with the communist government and its own hesitancy to follow through on free-market-style reforms. Cuba last November opened a China-style special development zone, including a new container terminal at Mariel Bay. It also passed a new foreign investment law in March, saying it needed more than $2 billion a year in foreign direct investment to spur growth.

13 Sep 2013

Today in U.S. Naval History: September 13

Today in U.S. Naval History - September 13   1814 - British bombardment of Fort McHenry inspires the Star Spangled Banner.   1847 - Marine Brigade leads U.S. forces that storm Chapultepec Castle near Mexico City, inspiring one line of the Marine Hymn   1906 - Sailors and Marines from USS Denver land in Havana at the request of the Cuban government to preserve order during a revolution.    1939 - Navy suspends transfers to the Fleet Reserve after 20 years service and retains men on active duty.   1985 - Commander Middle East Force orders escort of Military Sealift Ships in Persian Gulf because of Iranian seizure of merchant vessels.

01 Nov 2012

Crowley’s First Ocean Class Tugboat Performs Inaugural Job in Cuba

The first of four Crowley Maritime Corporation ocean class tugboats, Ocean Wave, completed its inaugural project earlier this month by removing a grounded containership from the northern coast of Cuba. The job is additionally significant because it utilized many of Crowley’s unique capabilities, equipment and established relationships with Cuban entities and government to complete the job quickly despite many challenges. The project’s success hinged on a coordinated and timely response from Antilliana De Salvemento, the Cuban salvage company which subcontracted Titan Salvage, Crowley’s Pompano, Fla.-based emergency response, marine salvage and wreck removal company, and Houston-based T&T Marine Salvage, to assist with the removal of the stricken containership.

14 Sep 2011

This Day in Naval History

1814 - British bombardment of Fort McHenry inspires the Star Spangled Banner. 1847 - Marine Brigade leads U.S. forces that storm Chapultepec Castle near Mexico City, inspiring one line of the Marine Hymn. 1906 - Sailors and Marines from USS Denver land in Havana at the request of the Cuban government to preserve order during a revolution. 1939 - Navy suspends transfers to the Fleet Reserve after 20 years of service and retains men on active duty. 1985 - Commander Middle East Force orders escort of Military Sealift Ships in Persian Gulf because of Iranian seizure of merchant vessels.

13 Sep 2010

This Day in Naval History – September 13

1814 - British bombardment of Fort McHenry inspires the Star Spangled Banner. 1847 - Marine Brigade leads U.S. forces that storm Chapultepec Castle near Mexico City, inspiring one line of the Marine Hymn 1906 - Sailors and Marines from USS Denver land in Havana at the request of the Cuban government to preserve order during a revolution. 1939 - Navy suspends transfers to the Fleet Reserve after 20 years service and retains men on active duty. 1985 - Commander Middle East Force orders escort of Military Sealift Ships in Persian Gulf because of Iranian seizure of merchant vessels. (Source: Navy News Service)

09 Sep 2003

Petrobras May Try Cuban Oil Luck Again

Brazil's state oil giant, Petrobras, signed a letter of intent with Cuba on technological exchange as part of a strategy aimed at returning to the island in search for crude. Petrobras President Jose Eduardo Dutra said his company was studying at least one block that should be offered on a concession basis by the Cuban government.

12 Aug 2003

Crowley Makes First Major Livestock Shipments to Cuba in 40 Years

Over the past three weeks Crowley Liner Services has transported more than 400 head of cattle, plus sheep and bison, from the United States to Havana, Cuba - the first shipments of livestock direct from the U.S. in more than 40 years. Gulfport, Miss., and Port Everglades and Jacksonville, Fla. bulls, 12 bison, and one shorthorn sheep. 140. Jacksonville on August 9 and arrived in Havana yesterday. and plenty of water to drink. handler was present onboard the ships during each voyage. The animals were purchased from various U.S. export exception to the Cuban embargo. were worked out during the U.S. held last year in Havana. handle additional livestock shipments for the foreseeable future. well as for U.S.-Cuban trade," said Crowley Vice President Jay Brickman. planning.