The liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker Gas Exelero (IMO 9392042), belonging to the coastal fleet managed by Cubametales—an entity integrated into the military conglomerate GAESA—departed from the port of Cienfuegos on February 10. Currently, it is navigating Caribbean waters, according to satellite tracking data.
Jorge Piñón, a non-resident fellow at the University of Texas Energy Institute, confirmed this information to Diario de Cuba, noting that the vessel is bound for Kingston, Jamaica.
The national oil company of Jamaica, Petrojam, owns and operates a refinery in Kingston that regularly supplies LPG on a spot basis to Cuba, explained the expert.
However, an image shared by the user Falcon (@FlconEYES) shows the Gas Exelero on a course of approximately 125 degrees at a speed of 6.6 knots, moving away from Jamaica's coastline.
Tracking systems indicate a path from Cienfuegos towards the southern Caribbean. The automatic route projection references Willemstad, Curaçao, approximately 495 nautical miles away, with an estimated journey time of just over three days.
Nonetheless, this route is a technical calculation from the AIS system and does not necessarily indicate the definitive destination.
Monitoring platforms like Marine Traffic recorded the vessel's movement, which on Wednesday afternoon appeared near Jamaican waters. The Gas Exelero, flying the Marshall Islands flag, is part of the assets used by the regime for fuel transportation amid the current energy crisis.
In early February, the Cuban tanker Emilia, also dedicated to LPG transport, traveled to Kingston but is believed to have returned empty to Cuba. This movement coincided with an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump declaring Havana a threat to U.S. national security and imposing tariffs on countries exporting oil to the Island.
The Gas Exelero's new voyage occurs amidst a critical context. Cuba has not received crude shipments from Venezuela since December, and the last delivery from Mexico arrived on January 9.
The scarcity has led to halted transportation, reduced work hours, suspension of flights from Canadian and Russian airlines due to fuel shortages, and widespread impacts on the national economy.
Miguel Díaz-Canel stated that the government "has not given up on receiving fuel" and that active efforts continue to secure supplies.
Key Insights into Cuba's Fuel Crisis
Why is the Gas Exelero's journey significant for Cuba?
The voyage of the Gas Exelero is crucial due to Cuba's severe fuel shortages, affecting transportation and the economy. Its journey could signal potential new supply routes or sources amid the crisis.
What are the implications of the U.S. executive order on Cuba?
The U.S. executive order declaring Cuba a national security threat and imposing tariffs on oil exports to the Island has exacerbated the fuel supply challenges, affecting Cuba's economic stability and international trade relations.