Teams of Chinese specialists have successfully installed the dome on fuel tank 49-1, the first of four currently under construction at the Matanzas Supertanker Base. This site was the location of a devastating fire in 2022 that claimed 17 lives. According to a post by the Havana regime on X, this joint project between Cuban and Chinese experts is slated for completion in the first half of 2026.
Government Visits and Propaganda
Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz visited the facility, commending the workers' dedication amidst the country's ongoing energy crisis. The communist government emphasized the "collaboration with China" and the progress made in the construction, sidestepping any mention of the lingering structural issues in the nation's energy infrastructure following the disaster.
As reported by Girón newspaper on Facebook, engineer Héctor Clark Silot, the technical head of the Integrated Project Directorate (DIP), noted the rapid progress of the operation—from March to the installation of the 74-meter diameter, 68-ton aluminum dome—as a significant milestone. The tank is designed to hold 50,000 cubic meters of crude and will advance to the next phase with the inclusion of automated systems, fire prevention measures, records, pipelines, and hydraulic testing.
Rebuilding After the 2022 Fire
The initiative to construct four tanks—49-1, 86, 87, and 88—aims to restore the storage capacity of the terminal, which was severely damaged by the massive August 2022 fire. The new tanks are expected to collectively provide a storage volume of 200,000 cubic meters.
A Nation that Neither Forgets nor Forgives
The fire, sparked by lightning striking a tank containing 40,000 gallons of fuel, raged for six days. It resulted in the deaths of firefighters, tanker drivers, and civilian workers, many of whose remains were unidentifiable due to the intense flames. Hundreds were hospitalized, and an entire community was displaced.
The government's response was criticized for being slow and lacking transparency. While the fire's extinguishment was hailed as a heroic feat, the underlying issues—such as outdated infrastructure, absence of proper protocols, improvisation, and negligent decision-making—were never publicly addressed.
Key Questions About the Matanzas Supertanker Base Project
What is the expected completion date for the new tanks at the Matanzas Supertanker Base?
The new tanks are expected to be completed in the first half of 2026.
How much crude oil can the new tank hold?
The new tank has a capacity of 50,000 cubic meters of crude oil.
What caused the fire at the Matanzas Supertanker Base in 2022?
The fire was caused by a lightning strike on a tank containing 40,000 gallons of fuel.