The Eugenia Gas liquefied gas tanker, identified by IMO 8813099 and flying the flag of Liberia, has exhibited unusual navigation patterns throughout the Caribbean in recent days. This includes maneuvers near Jamaica and extended stays close to the Moa region in eastern Cuba, as per maritime tracking data.
The last recorded signal from the vessel dates to February 12 at 11:29 UTC, showing it sailing at a slow pace (1 knot) with a heading of 285.5°, lacking any public records of formal port entry.
In a twist, the latest signal indicates the ship is now under the Belizean flag, contrasting with earlier records that placed it under Liberia's flag. This discrepancy raises questions about its administrative status or the configuration of its AIS identification.
The Eugenia Gas had declared Kingston, Jamaica, as its destination, with an estimated time of arrival (ETA) on February 5 at 20:09. Images captured the vessel in a waiting pattern off Port Royal Bay on February 6. The tanker is noted for its erratic course changes and periods lacking visible port call history.
Consultations of records on Vessel Finder, as well as those shared on social media platform X by Falcon (@FlconEYES), show the ship as an LPG Tanker with a reported draft of 7.4 meters and an approximate capacity of 11,000 tons.
Tracking charts indicate repeated movements south of Kingston and a prior trajectory from the Moa area. The lack of recent port call history complicates efforts to accurately reconstruct its latest commercial operations.
The Recent Stay of Eugenia Gas in Cuba
Following the U.S. seizure of a Venezuelan oil shipment bound for Cuba in December, two vessels from Mexico arrived on the island carrying a total of 80,000 barrels of fuel to alleviate its severe energy crisis. These were the Ocean Mariner and the Eugenia Gas.
Both ships, flying the Liberian flag, departed from the Pemex complex in Pajaritos, southern Mexico. The Eugenia Gas circled the island's northern coast, heading towards Moa's port in eastern Cuba.
At the end of January, the United States imposed tariffs on countries trading oil with Cuba. After leaving Moa, the Eugenia Gas's behavior has sparked suspicions as it navigates through the Caribbean.
Movements Amid Fuel Scarcity
The activities of the Eugenia Gas occur at a critical juncture for Cuba. The island has not received crude shipments from Venezuela since December, and Mexico's last delivery arrived on January 9.
This shortage has led to partial suspension of public transportation, reduced work hours in the state sector, and the cancellation of flights by Canadian and Russian airlines due to fuel shortages. The impacts are felt across various sectors of the national economy.
Governor Miguel Díaz-Canel recently stated that the government "has not given up on receiving fuel" and continues active efforts to secure supplies.
In this context, the presence of a tanker that has operated in Cuban waters and now lingers near Jamaica raises questions about potential supply operations or offshore transfers, though no official confirmations regarding its final destination or possible cargo transfers exist at this time.
The evolution of its route in the coming days will be crucial in determining the purpose of its stay in the area.
Understanding the Movements of the Eugenia Gas Tanker
Why is the Eugenia Gas tanker under a different flag?
The change to a Belizean flag from its previous Liberian flag raises questions about its administrative status or the configuration of its AIS identification, potentially to obscure its activities.
What is the significance of the Eugenia Gas's recent movements?
The tanker's movements are significant because they occur amid a severe fuel crisis in Cuba, and its activities could hint at unauthorized supply operations or offshore transfers.
How are Cuba's energy issues affecting its economy?
Cuba's energy crisis has led to the suspension of public transport, reduced work hours in the state sector, and flight cancellations, impacting numerous economic sectors.