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Citgo purchases first Venezuelan oil from Trafigura since 2019, sources claim

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 29, 2026

Two sources with knowledge of the matter confirmed on Wednesday that Citgo Petroleum, a U.S. refiner, has bought Venezuelan crude for the first since 2019. That was when it severed its ties with Petroleos de Venezuela - the state-run oil company.

Sources say that the Russian Urals oil is trading at a discount close to the largest since 2022, in India

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 26, 2026

Two sources reported that Russian crude oil cargoes dated February Urals traded in Indian ports at discounts close to the largest since 2022 compared with dated Brent, amid increased pressure from Western sanctions. The two sources claimed that…

Shipping data shows that a tanker carrying Venezuelan heavy crude oil is heading to Louisiana.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 25, 2026

A crude tanker chartered Trafigura?departed from Venezuela's Jose Port?to Louisiana Offshore Oil Port?documents and LSEG data showed. This was the first cargo to go directly to the U.S. under a 50 million barrel supply agreement agreed between Caracas this month and Washington.

In January, diesel exports to Russia from Primorsk could reach a record high.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 20, 2026

Data from traders LSEG, and calculations revealed a Tuesday that ultra-low-sulphur-diesel loadings in the Russian 'port of Primorsk could rise by 'about one-third - from December to January and may exceed 2.2 million metric tonnes, due to higher fuel production and a seasonally -weaker demand.

Russia taunts US, UN should monitor ship attack in Caribbean, not Red Sea

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 14, 2026

The U.N. Security Council asked U.N. secretary-general Antonio Guterres on Wednesday to continue providing monthly reports on any further Yemeni Houthi attacks on vessels in Red Sea, prompting Russia to taunt United States. The Russian Deputy U.N.

Ship data shows that supertankers destined to transport Venezuelan oil to China have made a U-turn.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 12, 2026

LSEG shipping data revealed on Monday that two China-flagged Supertankers, which were en route to Venezuela to pick up debt paying crude cargoes amidst the U.S. embargo against?the OPEC country?had made a u-turn. They are now returning to Asia. After the U.S.

Brazil sets the starting bid at $93 Million for Santos Port Terminal Auction

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 12, 2026

The 'Ports and Airports Ministry' announced on Monday that Brazil has set a'minimum concession fee' of '500 million reais (92.96 million dollars) for the massive Tecon 10-container terminal auction at the port of 'Santos', which is expected to happen in the second half of March.

Ambassador: Ukrainians aboard the seized Bella-1 tanker

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 9, 2026

The Ukrainian ambassador to the United States said on Friday that Ukrainians were part of the crew aboard the Russian-flagged tanker Bella-1 which was seized by U.S. troops this week. Olha Stefanishyna was quoted by Interfax Ukraine as saying that Ukrainian diplomats are in contact with U.S.

Sources: India's Reliance is in talks with the US to obtain a permit for it to purchase Venezuelan oil

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 9, 2026

Two sources with knowledge of the matter said on Friday that Reliance Industries, a private refiner in India, is seeking U.S. permission to resume purchasing Venezuelan crude. The refiner wants to ensure supplies as Western pressures on India to reduce Russian oil imports.

Sources: India's Reliance is in talks with the US to obtain a permit for it to purchase Venezuelan oil

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 9, 2026

Two sources with knowledge of the matter said that Reliance Industries, a private refiner in India, is looking to secure oil as Western pressures on India to reduce its Russian oil purchases. Sources said that Reliance representatives were in talks with the U.S.

US may use Export-Import bank for Venezuela oil projects, energy chief says

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 9, 2026

Energy Secretary Chris Wright told reporters that there is a "real possibility" the U.S. might use its Export-Import Bank to 'fund large oil projects' in Venezuela. This was before President Donald Trump met with industry executives later on Friday.

South Korea's MFG bids up to 210,000 tonnes corn, traders claim

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 8, 2026

The South Korean Major 'Feedmill Group (MFG), a group of traders in Europe, said that the MFG has announced an international tender for up to 210,000 metric tonnes of animal feed corn. The deadline to submit price bids in the tender is January 9, 2019.

Russian broadcaster: US forces appear to be trying to board Venezuelan oil tanker by helicopter

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 7, 2026

The Russian state broadcaster RT reported on Wednesday that it 'looked as if U.S. troops were attempting to board the Venezuela-linked 'oil tanker 'Marinera'?from a chopper and published an image showing a chopper hovering near ship. Could not verify immediately the?RT Report.

Sources: Chevron and US in negotiations for an expanded Venezuelan oil license

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 7, 2026

Four sources said that Chevron, an oil producer in the United States, is in discussions with the U.S. Government to extend a license for its operations in Venezuela so it can sell more crude to its refineries or to other buyers. Washington and…

Sources: Chevron and US in negotiations for an expanded Venezuelan oil license

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 7, 2026

Four sources said that oil?producer Chevron was in talks with U.S. officials to extend a license for its operations in Venezuela so it could increase crude exports into its refineries, and sell them to other buyers. Washington and Caracas are progressing in their negotiations to provide up to 50…

WSJ reports that Russia sent a submarine to escort a tanker that the US attempted to seize near Venezuela

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 7, 2026

The Wall Street Journal, citing an official from the United States, reported that Russia had deployed a sub and other naval vessels in order to escort a?aging oil tanker which was trying to evade a U.S. blockade near Venezuela. The tanker, previously known as Bella 1…

NY Times: Russia requests that US stop pursuing a fleeing oil tanker

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 1, 2026

The?U.S. has been asked by Russia to stop its pursuit of a?oil tanker 'that was destined for Venezuela and is now fleeing the U.S. Coast Guard in the Atlantic Ocean, according to a report from Thursday’s New York Times. The New York Times reported on Thursday that the U.S.

Russia compares US blockade Venezuela to piratery

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 25, 2025

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that the United States is reviving piratery and banditry by blocking Venezuela. It hoped President Donald Trump’s pragmatic approach would prevent a catastrophe. Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Foreign Ministry…

Venezuela uses floating storage to fill onshore tanks

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 23, 2025

According to documents and data from the company, Venezuela's PDVSA, the state-owned oil company, has started to fill tankers with crude oil and fuel oil, and keep them in Venezuelan water, due to the accumulation of inventories caused by?the U.S. seizing Venezuelan-linked ships on sea. The U.S.

As on-shore tanks fill due to ship seizures, Venezuela turns to floating storage

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 23, 2025

According to documents and data from the company, Venezuela's PDVSA state-run oil firm has begun filling up 'tankers' with crude oil and fuel oil that it has in its storage. This is because inventories are increasing amid U.S. moves to seize Venezuelan-linked ships. This month, the U.S.

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