Three Aframax tankers have initiated the first US-bound fuel oil flow from Syria, delivering Iraqi oil to the Gulf Coast, reports PortNews.
Three Aframax tankers have loaded Iraqi fuel oil at Syria's Baniyas terminal for delivery to the US Gulf Coast, marking the first US-bound fuel oil flow from a Syrian port, reported Saint Petersburg's PortNews.
On Passion departed Baniyas on 17 June with about 716,600 barrels, discharging 487,600 barrels in the Bahamas in mid-July before continuing to Texas. Nissos Christina loaded 288,500 barrels by 8 July and is due to discharge on the US Gulf Coast in early August.
Green Warrior loaded 414,400 barrels in mid-to-late July and is scheduled to arrive in the US in the third week of August. The fuel oil was trucked from Iraq across the Syrian border, stored, and then loaded at Baniyas.
The US has previously imported Iraqi fuel oil directly, but no cargo had reached the country since March. Baniyas has been loading one Iraqi tanker every seven to 10 days since May, supported by about 900 road tankers daily.
The corridor began operations on 15 April when 299 Iraqi road tankers crossed into Syria through al-Tanf. Since then, cargoes have also been shipped to Spain and Egypt. Syria's fuel oil exports reached about 720,000 tonnes in June, with Baniyas acting as an outlet for Iraqi supplies by 19 July.
Iraq is developing the corridor to diversify export routes and reduce reliance on Gulf terminals. The route is expected to remain in use even after normal shipping resumes through the Strait of Hormuz.
