Citgo charters products tanker from USGC to Aruba

Citgo, the US refining subsidiary of Venezuela state-owned oil company PdV, booked the tanker Star Kestrel today to carry a refined products cargo from the US Gulf coast, according to shipbrokers.

The 51,228 dwt Panamanian-flagged medium range tanker is scheduled to load in the next two days and will travel to the Caribbean island of Aruba, according to multiple shipbrokers. The deal was concluded at a premium rate of $650,000 lump sum, $150,000 above where Argus assesses the route.

Citgo leases a mothballed 280,000 b/d refinery and terminal on Aruba.

The booking was rare as Citgo has been largely absent from the US Gulf coast spot shipping market since the US imposed sanctions on its parent company on 28 January.