Business

Argus Media: Stranded Iranian tankers await Brazil court ruling

Iranian-flagged grain vessels Bavand and Termeh have been waiting for fuel at Paranagua Bay, Brazil since June.

Published

7 years ago

July 22, 2019

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Global energy and commodity price reporting agency Argus Media in on Monday (22 July) provided a marine fuels industry related update focusing on refuelling issues of the Bavand and Termeh at Paranagua Bay, Brazil:

A favorable federal supreme court decision could be the best hope for two Iranian tankers awaiting marine fuel in Paranagua Bay off Brazil´s southern coast, bunker market participants tell Argus.

Since early June, two Iranian-flagged grain vessels, the Bavand and Termeh, owned by Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines and operated by Iranian shipping firm Sapid, have been requesting fuel for a return journey after discharging urea cargoes to Brazilian firm Eleva.

Transpetro, the logistics arm of Brazil´s state-controlled Petrobras, denied a request to refuel the vessels, citing US sanctions. The possible sanctions-related impacts mentioned by PBR included blocked assets; prohibition to transact with companies or individuals subject to US law; and anticipation of the maturity of around $78bn in debt with foreign institutions.

Eleva last week was awarded a local court injunction obligating Petrobras to supply 1,700 tons of fuel to the vessels under threat of fines. The matter now heads to the federal supreme court, which is scheduled to return to its normal agenda on 1 August.

On 19 July, Brazil's general prosecutor Raquel Dodge filed a memo urging the high court to overturn the injunction.

In her petition, Dodge wrote that "the serious consequences for the order and the public economy that the fulfillment of the objectionable decision can cause, not only for Petrobras, but also for the Brazilian state, are evident, since the federal government is the majority shareholder of [Petrobras]."

The Bavand already loaded 48,000 t of corn at Imbituba port in Santa Catarina, a Paranagua port operator said. The Termeh is waiting for bunker before traveling to the same port for a 65,000 t cargo of corn.

Food is outside the scope of US sanctions, but urea is covered. Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, Sapid and Eleva were not available to comment.

"I've had eight or nine people call asking how to resolve this situation, but without Petrobras almost all options are either too risky or not economically feasible," a marine fuel specialist with a global bunker company said.

In theory, the vessels can purchase fuel from suppliers other than Petrobras, or send fuel from Iran to supply the ships. But many bunker suppliers operating in Brazil are unwilling to risk non-compliance with sanctions.

Even if a company is willing to take the risk, the restrictions on portside refueling means the vessels would likely have to make it to international waters for a ship-to-ship transfer, another bunker specialist said.

Rio de Janeiro-based marine fuel supplier NFX, a 50:50 joint venture between BP and Brazilian logistics firm Prumo, says no representatives for the vessels have been in contact to discuss refueling.

Phone calls and emails to Iran´s embassy in Brasilia were not answered.

The predicament comes against the backdrop of a recent strengthening of ties between Brazil and the US, influenced partly by far-right president Jair Bolsonaro's affinity for US president Donald Trump.

The situation comes amid rising international tensions following Iran's seizure of the UK-flagged Medium Range (MR) oil tanker Stena Impero in the strait of Hormuz on 19 July.

Source: Argus Media
Published: 23 July, 2019

Methanol

China: Chimbusco takes delivery of new methanol bunkering vessel in Zhoushan

Company says commissioning of “Zhong Ran LV Neng 85” will further enhance its service capabilities in green methanol bunkering in major domestic ports.

Published

6 minutes ago

June 16, 2026

Admin

Chimbusco takes delivery of new methanol bunkering vessel in Zhoushan

China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) (Chimbusco) recently took delivery of its first bunkering vessel in China to deliver methanol to dual-fuel ships.

The 8,500-dwt duplex stainless steel chemical tanker Zhong Ran LV Neng 85 was successfully delivered in Zhoushan.

The company said the commissioning of this new ship will further enhance Chimbusco’s service capabilities in green methanol bunkering in major domestic ports and expand its national marine new energy service and support network

During the delivery period, Chimbusco said it focused on safe operations and conducted special training for all crew members of the vessel.

The training covered methanol bunkering operation specifications, prevention of collisions between commercial and fishing vessels, daily vessel reporting, and voyage report filling standards.

Manifold Times previously reported the launching of the bunkering vessel at Taizhou Fangzhen Shipbuilding Wharf in Zhejiang.

The floating out of the ship comes after Chimbusco has obtained methanol bunkering licences for Shanghai Port and Ningbo Port.

Photo credit: China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) (Chimbusco)
Published: 16 June, 2026

LNG Bunkering

CCEC and CMA CGM form joint venture to build and operate LNG bunkering vessel

Each party will hold a 50% ownership stake in the joint venture, which has been established for the purpose of constructing, chartering, and operating one 20,000 cbm dual-fuel LNG bunkering vessel.

Published

11 minutes ago

June 16, 2026

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Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp. (CCEC), an international owner of ocean-going gas vessels, on Friday (12 June) announced the formation of a joint venture company with CMA CGM.

Each party will hold a 50% ownership stake in the joint venture, which has been established for the purpose of constructing, chartering, and operating one 20,000 cbm dual-fuel LNG bunkering vessel.

The joint venture marks CCEC’s entry into the LNG bunkering segment, the company’s first vessel dedicated to marine fuel supply.

In connection with this transaction, the joint venture has entered into a shipbuilding contract with Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering (CIMC SOE) for the construction of the vessel at a contract price of USD 82.8 million, with delivery expected in the third quarter of 2028.

Incorporating the latest technologies, the vessel is designed to enable safe and reliable LNG transfers across a wide range of operating conditions. Advanced emissions reduction systems, combined with highly efficient dual-fuel power generation, are designed to help the vessel meet applicable environmental standards of the global shipping industry.

In addition, the joint venture is expected to enter into a 12-year time charter with a joint venture company formed between CMA CGM and TotalEnergies, commencing upon delivery of the vessel from the shipyard.

Jerry Kalogiratos, CEO of Capital Clean Energy Carriers, commented: “This joint venture marks CCEC’s entry into LNG bunkering — a natural extension of our gas platform from carriage into marine fuel supply.

“Working alongside counterparties of the calibre of CMA CGM and TotalEnergies, we can help build the infrastructure that allows LNG to deliver a cleaner emissions profile, alongside security and diversity of supply, while opening a new, long-term contracted revenue stream for the Company through the Joint Venture.”

Christine Cabau, Executive Vice President Operations and Assets of CMA CGM, said: “Together with Capital Clean Energy Carriers and TotalEnergies, we are committed to building a reliable and high-performance LNG bunkering supply chain, which is essential to ensuring the availability and reliability of fuels such as LNG that represent the first step in the decarbonization of our industry.”

Photo credit: Scott Graham
Published: 16 June, 2026

Incident

UK forces intercept suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker in English Channel

In the first UK-led operation of its kind, the vessel “SMYRTOS” was boarded by Royal Marine Commandos and law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency.

Published

13 minutes ago

June 16, 2026

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UK forces intercept suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker in English Channel

British Armed Forces on Sunday (14 June) boarded a sanctioned oil tanker, suspected of being part of the Russian shadow fleet, in the English Channel, according to the Ministry of Defence.

In the first UK-led operation of its kind, the vessel SMYRTOS was boarded by Royal Marine Commandos and law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency.

The UK’s Prime Minister agreed in March that British Armed Forces and law enforcement officers were able to board shadow fleet vessels, in accordance with international law.

The SMYRTOS will be provisionally moved to an anchorage off the South Coast of England and will be monitored for any environmental or safety concerns.

UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said: “This operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin’s war in Ukraine that they cannot hide.

“I want to pay tribute to all those involved, including our Armed Forces and law enforcement officers who keep this country safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

The operation builds on recent support provided by the UK to its allies to interdict shadow fleet vessels, which included RAF and Royal Navy capabilities supporting US and French operations. The operation was conducted in close coordination with the French.

The UK has sanctioned almost 600 Russian shadow fleet vessels to date.

Photo credit: Ministry of Defence
Published: 16 June, 2026