Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 18
By Emil Ilgar– Trend:
After several years of suspension regarding the sailing of Iranian oil tankers to EU due to sanctions, the first Iranian oil ship reached Spain's Algeciras port, Sirous Kian-Ersi, the managing director of the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) said Jan.18.
He said that two other Iranian tankers also left Persian Gulf to Netherlands, NITC’s official website reported.
Kian-Ersi said that currently the insurance, classification standard licences and other problems have been resolved and Iran’s oil ships are sailing with Iran’s flag in the international waters, including the EU.
Argus media reported Jan.16 that Suezmax Sonia 1 with 1 million barrels, part of state-owned NITC's fleet, has been outside the Spanish Mediterranean port of Algeciras since 14 December after loading in Iran in late November and subsequently passing through the Suez Canal.
“Fixture lists suggest the tanker is expected to berth at Algeciras on 18 December, before becoming open again for another cargo from 20 December,” the report said.
Reacting to the report, Kian-Ersi said that Iran’s tanker reached Spain without any delay.
NITC owns a considerable fleet, comprising 42 very large crude carriers VLCCs — each capable of holding 2 million barrels, and around nine Suezmaxes, but even since the nuclear deal was reached and sanctions lifted those tankers have been barred from European ports because of concerns about liability and indemnity, age, status and suitability, Argus media reported.