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Russia exported Urals crude oil to Cuba in January aboard the tanker Akademik Gubkin, a vessel sanctioned by the United States, and the tanker is expected to arrive at the island in a few days.
The Akademik Gubkin was loaded on January 29 with 100,000 tons of crude oil at the Russian port of Ust-Luga, in the Baltic Sea, according to a report by Reuters.
Currently, the cargo is crossing the Atlantic and is expected to arrive at the Cuban terminal in Matanzas on February 19.
In the tracking platforms Marine Traffic and Vesselfinder, the Akademik Gubkin does not show a destination port, a common tactic in fuel shipments from Russia to Cuba.
The vessel is operated by Rosnefteflot, the maritime transport division of Rosneft, a Russian state-owned oil company that is responsible for the distribution of Ural crude oil.
This operation reflects Moscow's strategy to diversify its buyers through its parallel fleet of tankers, according to data from London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), a global financial data and market infrastructure company.
A vessel under U.S. sanctions
The Akademik Gubkin (IMO 9842190) was added on January 10 of this year to the sanctions list of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, under the section related to Rosnefteflot.
The Joe Biden administration imposed these restrictions shortly before leaving office as part of a sanctions package against the Russian oil industry, affecting 183 ships, including vessels from the so-called "shadow fleet."
This fleet consists of ships used to circumvent international restrictions on oil trade, facilitating shipments to countries that evade Western sanctions.
Decline in Russian crude oil imports
According to data from LSEG, in 2024 Cuba imported approximately 100,000 tons of Russian crude, representing a significant decrease compared to the 200,000 tons in 2023 and the 600,000 tons in 2022.
The decrease in these shipments coincides with the entry into force of the total embargo by the European Union on Russian crude oil in December 2022, which forced Moscow to redirect the majority of its maritime exports towards Asia and other markets.
Tourism for oil and financial negotiations
In recent months, Rosneft organized flights to Cuba for hundreds of the company's employees, who visited the island under a tourism-for-oil scheme approved by Moscow and Havana.
Meanwhile, the Cuban ambassador to Russia, Julio Antonio Garmendía, announced at the beginning of this year that both governments were negotiating a credit of 60 million dollars for the purchase of Russian fuel. However, to date, it has not been confirmed whether the agreement was finalized.
The sanctions imposed by the United States aim to disrupt the Kremlin's revenue flow, which heavily relies on hydrocarbon exports to finance its invasion of Ukraine.
However, despite the restrictions, Russia continues to use its network of sanctioned oil tankers to maintain its exports and strengthen its ties with strategic allies such as Cuba.
Meanwhile, the island is more than ever short of fuel, as the country faces an imminent energy collapse, a situation that has been particularly worsened in recent days following the shutdown of Unit 1 of the Felton Thermoelectric Plant from the National Electric System (SEN) due to a breakdown that will keep it offline for about 20 days.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Shipment of Russian Crude to Cuba and the Energy Crisis on the Island
Why is Russia sending crude oil to Cuba on a vessel sanctioned by the United States?
Russia sends crude oil to Cuba aboard the ship Akademik Gubkin, sanctioned by the United States, as part of its strategy to diversify its buyers and strengthen ties with strategic allies like Cuba. The operation aims to sustain Russian exports despite international sanctions.
What is the current situation of the energy crisis in Cuba?
Cuba is facing a severe energy crisis, worsened by fuel shortages and the deterioration of electrical infrastructure. The island is experiencing prolonged blackouts and relies on crude oil imports from allied countries such as Russia and Mexico.
How do U.S. sanctions affect the shipment of Russian oil to Cuba?
The sanctions imposed by the U.S. on vessels like the Akademik Gubkin aim to limit the flow of revenue to the Russian government. However, Russia uses its sanctioned fleet to continue exporting crude oil to Cuba, thus weakening the impact of the sanctions.
What role does Mexico play in Cuba's energy crisis?
Mexico has sent oil to Cuba to alleviate its energy crisis. The shipment of the vessel Vilma with 400 thousand barrels of crude is part of the humanitarian assistance provided by Mexico, amid massive blackouts and failures in the electrical infrastructure.
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