EMEA News
First Suezmax Tanker to Load Iranian Crude Oil in Post Sanctions Era
Three weeks after sanctions were lifted on Iran, Litasco, the trading arm of Russia's Lukoil, is reported to have chartered the Distya Akula to load 130,000 mt of Iranian crude.
The loading represents the first Suezmax tanker to lift Iranian oil in the wake of the removal of sanctions against Iran.
The loading is said to be scheduled to take place between February 5 and 10.
According to reports, the India-flagged Distya Akula was in the Persian Gulf heading towards Al Basrah on January 31.
Once loaded the vessel will travel from Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf to Constanta on the Black Sea.
Industry reports had indicated the Eurospirit was first to be booked by Litasco on January 26; the Distya Akula replaces that.
The next Suezmax loading out of Kharg Island will supposedly be a vessel chartered by a Spanish refiner, Cepsa, according to media reports.
Cepsa is said to be set to use the Suezmax tanker the Monte Toledo to lift 130,000 mt of crude from Kharg Island to Spain.
The Monte Toledo is understood to be in the Mediterranean en route to Port Said.
Last month Ship & Bunker reported that Iran had cut the price it will charge Europe for its crude.
