Maduro Says Venezuela Received Third Iran-Made Oil Tanker
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says the country has received a "advanced" oil tanker from Iran as part of a bilateral arrangement, as Tehran and Caracas' collaboration in numerous industries grows.
“We have just received a ship with the most advanced engineering and technology in the world,” Maduro said according to Venezuelan state TV. He said that the ship was manufactured by Iran upon Venezuela’s order.
"Now comes the oil tanker to serve as a cargo ship for our revolutionary PDVSA," he added.
This is the third oil ship built in Iran that has been delivered to Venezuela. On June 11, 2022, the South American country received its second tanker.
The second tanker was an Aframax with a deadweight of 80,000 to 120,000 metric tons (mt) and the capacity to transport 113,000 mt or 750,000 barrels of oil. The 250-meter-long vessel is outfitted with a 21,000 horsepower engine and three diesel generators capable of producing 900 kilowatts of power.
Maduro announced in June that the fourth tanker will join Venezuela's state-owned oil and natural gas corporation (PDVSA) in 2024, completing a contract negotiated between the two countries in 2006 for four oil tankers.
Iran Marine Industrial Company (Sadra), based along the Persian Gulf coast in Bushehr province, manufactures the tankers.
The shipment comes as the United States imposes severe economic sanctions on both Iran and Venezuela. To counteract Washington's unilateral actions, Tehran and Caracas have increased their cooperation in recent years, particularly in the energy sector.
In June, Venezuela's president paid an official visit to Iran, where he signed a 20-year collaboration deal aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in areas such as technology, agriculture, oil and gas, petrochemicals, tourism, and culture.
The ceremony to deliver the second oil tanker was held during this visit with presidents of the two nations in attendance.
Addressing the event, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi hailed Venezuela as a “friendly and brotherly” country, adding, “In a situation where the enemies of Iran and Venezuela are trying to impede the progress of the free nations of Iran and Venezuela by imposing severe restrictions and sanctions, the delivery of the 113,000-ton tanker built by Iranian engineers and shipbuilding industries to Venezuela is an example of Iran's high capacity and capability in exporting technical and engineering services to the world and proving the efficiency of the policy of the resistance economy.”
For his part, Maduro hailed the cooperation with Iran, saying, “The production of the tanker for the Venezuelan state oil company was Commander Chavez's plan to strengthen our country's oil industry, to make it self-sufficient in the face of all foreign aggression.”
“The construction of this modern and strong ship shows the high capability of the extraordinary and admirable industry of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said, adding, “Iran is one of the emerging powers of the 21st century and the construction of this ship is one of the practical and clear signs of this emerging power.”
