Latest news with #Greek-operated
Business Insider
08-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Ghana receives first Angolan crude via Greek tanker for new refinery
Ghana has marked a major step in its efforts to revitalise domestic fuel production with the arrival of its first shipment of Angolan crude oil. Ghana received its first shipment of Angolan crude oil, marking a significant step in revitalizing domestic fuel production. Operational challenges at Sentuo were previously attributed to financial and political constraints, impacting crude processing. Increased refining activities aim to reduce Ghana's dependency on imported fuel products while diversifying energy sources. The delivery was made by a Greek-operated Suezmax tanker, Nicolaos, which docked at the Sentuo Refinery following a six-month hiatus in operations. According to vessel tracking data, the 165,000-deadweight-tonne Nicolaos, operated by Andriaki Shipping, loaded approximately 500,000 barrels of Palanca crude oil on 25 April. The vessel had been scheduled to discharge its cargo at Tema between 3 and 5 May. Operational setback ends at Sentuo refinery The 120,000-barrel-per-day Sentuo facility had ceased imports after its initial commissioning last year. Industry consultancy Kpler attributed the pause to "financial and political constraints" that had delayed its ability to process further shipments. Kpler noted, "The resumption of crude imports into Sentuo signals the refinery's commencement of crude processing—an important milestone that could reduce Ghana's dependence on refined fuel imports." Diversified crude sourcing in 2024-2025 Prior to this, Ghana had imported 500,000 barrels of Nigeria's Brass River crude in February, which Kpler suggested was used for power generation due to a temporary shutdown of the West African Gas Pipeline. Previous deliveries to the Sentuo Refinery included cargoes from Russia, as well as a single shipment from Ivory Coast's Baleine offshore field. Refinery activity and economic implications In October 2024, reports indicated that Sentuo was operating below capacity at under 20,000 barrels per day, while the Tema Oil Refinery, with a capacity of 40,000 barrels per day, remained offline. The recommencement of crude processing is expected to ease the country's heavy reliance on imported petroleum products. In February, Ghana recorded its highest monthly import of petrol and diesel, reaching a combined total of 480,000 tonnes. Kpler warned that any reduction in Ghana's demand for imported oil products could lower regional clean tanker demand. Tanker movements reflect strategic shifts After discharging its cargo, the Nicolaos departed Tema and was reported heading towards Nigeria as of Tuesday, according to AIS data. Last May, another Suezmax tanker, the Snow Lotus (159,100 dwt), had been anchored off the Sentuo refinery for months with a consignment of Russian Varandey crude. It had initially arrived in February, loaded from Lukoil's Kola floating storage and offloading unit in the Arctic, signalling earlier logistical challenges.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Yahoo
Italy prosecutors open terrorism probe into oil tanker explosion
MILAN (Reuters) - Italian prosecutors have opened a terrorism investigation over an explosion last weekend that damaged an oil tanker anchored off the coast of northern Italy, the chief prosecutor of the city of Genoa said on Thursday. Two explosions caused a 70 x 120 centimetre (28 x 47 inch) breach below the waterline on the hull of the Greek-operated crude oil tanker Seajewel, when it was anchored on Saturday off the port of Savona-Vado on Italy's north-western coast. Three oil tankers have been damaged by blasts in the last month in separate incidents around the Mediterranean, with the causes unknown. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. All three vessels had recently called at Russian ports, according to ship tracking data and sources. "We took over the black box, the ship was not seized," Genoa chief prosecutor Nicola Piacente told Reuters in reference to Saturday's explosion in Italy. The anti-terrorism section of Genoa's Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating suspected "shipwreck aggravated by terrorist intent," he said.
Reuters
20-02-2025
- Reuters
Italy prosecutors open terrorism probe into oil tanker explosion
MILAN, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Italian prosecutors have opened a terrorism investigation over an explosion last weekend that damaged an oil tanker anchored off the coast of northern Italy, the chief prosecutor of the city of Genoa said on Thursday. Two explosions caused a 70 x 120 centimetre (28 x 47 inch) breach below the waterline on the hull of the Greek-operated crude oil tanker Seajewel, when it was anchored on Saturday off the port of Savona-Vado on Italy's north-western coast. Three oil tankers have been damaged by blasts in the last month in separate incidents around the Mediterranean, with the causes unknown. All three vessels had recently called at Russian ports, according to ship tracking data and sources. "We took over the black box, the ship was not seized," Genoa chief prosecutor Nicola Piacente told Reuters in reference to Saturday's explosion in Italy. The anti-terrorism section of Genoa's Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating suspected "shipwreck aggravated by terrorist intent," he said.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Yahoo
Three tankers damaged by blasts in Mediterranean in the last month, causes unknown, sources say
ATHENS (Reuters) - Three oil tankers have been damaged by blasts in the last month in separate incidents around the Mediterranean, with the causes unknown, shipping and security sources said on Wednesday. The incidents are the first involving blast damage to non-military vessels to have taken place around the central Mediterranean in decades. An explosion caused a one-metre inward breach below the waterline on the hull of Greek-operated crude oil tanker Seajewel at a port in northern Italy on Saturday, one of the shipping sources said. A second blast occurred 20 minutes later on the same vessel without causing further damage. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Italian prosecutors have opened an investigation into the incident that hit Seajewel when it was at anchor in front of Savona-Vado port, Savona's prosecutor told Reuters. The vessel's operator, Athens-based Thenamaris, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Another vessel operated by Thenamaris, the crude oil tanker Seacharm, was also damaged by a blast off the Turkish Mediterranean port of Ceyhan in late January, two of the sources said. In a third incident, the Liberia-flagged chemical and products tanker Grace Ferrum was damaged off Libya in February, three sources said, with one adding that the vessel would require a salvage operation. The vessel was showing its status as not under command on Wednesday off the Libyan coast, LSEG ship tracking data showed. Its Cyprus-based operator Cymare was not immediately available for comment. All three vessels had recently called at Russian ports, according to ship tracking data and sources. Shipping industry officials said on Wednesday there was growing concern over the incidents. Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Spain in late December after an explosion ripped through its engine room and two of its crew were missing, the Russian Foreign Ministry said last month.
Al Arabiya
19-02-2025
- Al Arabiya
Three tankers damaged by blasts in Mediterranean, causes unknown, sources say
Three oil tankers have been damaged by blasts in the last month in separate incidents around the Mediterranean, with the causes unknown, shipping and security sources said on Wednesday. The incidents are the first involving blast damage to non-military vessels to have taken place around the central Mediterranean in decades. An explosion caused a one-meter inward breach below the waterline on the hull of Greek-operated crude oil tanker Seajewel at a port in northern Italy on Saturday, one of the shipping sources said. A second blast occurred 20 minutes later on the same vessel without causing further damage. Italian prosecutors have opened an investigation into the incident that hit Seajewel when it was at anchor in front of Savona-Vado port, Savona's prosecutor told Reuters. The vessel's operator, Athens-based Thenamaris, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Another vessel operated by Thenamaris, the crude oil tanker Seacharm, was also damaged by a blast off the Turkish Mediterranean port of Ceyhan in late January, two of the sources said. In a third incident, the Liberia-flagged chemical and products tanker Grace Ferrum was damaged off Libya in February, three sources said, with one adding that the vessel would require a salvage operation. The vessel was showing its status as not under command on Wednesday off the Libyan coast, LSEG ship tracking data showed. Its Cyprus-based operator Cymare was not immediately available for comment. All three vessels had recently called at Russian ports, according to ship tracking data and sources. Shipping industry officials said on Wednesday there was growing concern over the incidents. Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Spain in late December after an explosion ripped through its engine room and two of its crew were missing, the Russian Foreign Ministry said last month.
