Amidst the most severe energy crisis Cuba has faced in decades, the waters surrounding the island appeared almost devoid of activity.
Naval monitoring data reveals that only a single vessel is making significant progress towards the port of Cienfuegos. This vessel is the Esperanza, a Cuban-flagged oil tanker currently traveling from Matanzas.
Platforms like VesselFinder show that the Esperanza is a crude oil tanker, built in 2005, with a length of 213 meters, a beam of 32 meters, and a current draft of 9.2 meters.
The ship is destined for Cienfuegos, Cuba, with an estimated time of arrival (ETA) on February 10 at 6:00 am, following a coastal journey along the southern part of the country.
The recorded journey indicates that the tanker departed from Matanzas, where the Sandino oil tanker had previously docked after arriving from Nipe Bay in Holguín.
The Sandino reportedly unloaded between 390,000 and 410,000 barrels of fuel. While there's no official confirmation, it is likely that the Esperanza is transporting a portion of this cargo to the Cienfuegos refinery and the central region's energy network.
The Cuban government has not released public information regarding the precise origin of the fuel, its type, the quantities being transported, or the distribution plan.
In a backdrop of power outages lasting over 15 to even 20 hours daily across large areas of the country, endless lines for gasoline, and a nearly paralyzed public transportation system, this silence amplifies the perception of opacity and poor state management.
Esperanza's Movement at a Critical Time
In the initial weeks of 2026, at least six ships operated by the military conglomerate GAESA consolidated the last available reserves in Matanzas.
This situation was compounded by the diversion of the Mia Grace tanker, which departed from Togo destined for Cuba, only to change course towards the Dominican Republic, highlighting the regime's struggles to secure supplies.
Experts agree that even a shipment close to 400,000 barrels cannot address the structural issues of Cuba's electrical system. The almost complete reliance on imported fuels, the outdated thermoelectric plants, and the lack of maintenance turn each arrival into a mere temporary fix.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
Why is Cuba facing such a severe energy crisis?
Cuba is experiencing a severe energy crisis due to its heavy dependence on imported fuels, outdated infrastructure, and lack of maintenance in power plants, compounded by economic difficulties and poor management.
What role does the Esperanza tanker play in this situation?
The Esperanza tanker is currently transporting fuel, likely from previous reserves unloaded by another tanker, to help supply the refinery in Cienfuegos and support the central region's energy network amid the crisis.
How does the diversion of the Mia Grace tanker impact Cuba?
The diversion of the Mia Grace tanker, initially bound for Cuba but redirected to the Dominican Republic, underscores the challenges Cuba faces in securing necessary fuel supplies, exacerbating the energy crisis.