The tanker PRIMULA set sail from the port of Matanzas on February 21, boasting a draft of 10.3 meters, nearly reaching the operational maximum for a vessel of its kind. This information was gathered from specialized maritime tracking platforms like MarineTraffic and VesselFinder. The ship is en route to Moa, located in the eastern part of Cuba.
Such a significant draft suggests that the ship is almost at its full capacity. With a deadweight tonnage of 23,433 tons, the PRIMULA is capable of transporting between 160,000 to 170,000 barrels of fuel under these conditions, contingent on the type of product it carries.
On the social media platform X, Joankelin Sánchez, a user known for regularly monitoring ship movements in Cuba, noted that the vessel departed "at full load." "Ten point three meters is the maximum draft for the PRIMULA," he stated in his post.
This route is strategic. Matanzas serves as a major hub for fuel storage and distribution in Cuba, while Moa is home to one of the nation's key industrial and mining zones, particularly for nickel extraction and processing, which is an energy-intensive activity.
However, the source of the fuel remains unclear. While the AIS system can reveal the ship's position, destination, and draft, it does not disclose the type of product on board or when it was loaded at the port. The fuel could originate from domestic reserves, a recent import, or previous logistical operations not visible to public tracking.
This movement takes place amid a context of frequent power outages, transportation crises, and reports of fuel shortages across various sectors in Cuba. As the population grapples with restrictions, a shipment of this magnitude to a critical industrial area raises questions about the allocation and prioritization of energy resources.
As of now, there is no official information regarding the nature of the cargo the PRIMULA is carrying or the specific intent of its journey to Moa.
Fuel Transportation and Distribution in Cuba
Why is the PRIMULA's draft significant?
The PRIMULA's draft of 10.3 meters indicates that the vessel is nearly at full capacity. This suggests a substantial fuel load, which is crucial given the current energy shortages in Cuba.
What is the strategic importance of Moa?
Moa is significant due to its industrial and mining activities, particularly in nickel processing, which requires substantial energy resources. This makes it a critical destination for fuel shipments.