Following the two Iranian vessels that remain stuck in Brazil with no fuel, additionally two more Iranian bulk carriers that came to Brazil also could be left stranded. Petrobras addressed that refuses to provide the tankers with bunker fuel because of the US sanctions imposed.
Specifically, the four vessels currently located at Brazilian ports are:
- Delruba bulk carrier;
- Ganj bulk carrier;
- Bavand bulk carrier;
- Termeh bulk carrier.
All four vessels belong to the Iranian government and are included in the sanctions implemented by the US.
Petrobras refuses to provide fuel to the vessels, as this action would lead to US imposing penalties.
However, a fifth bulk carrier, Daryabar, was able to sail from Brazil, loaded with corn.
Reuters reports that Petrobras stated that selling the fuel would make it subject to penalties since it operates in the United States.
The vessels were included by the United States in the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN).
Overall, Petrobras has issues from the past with the US, as in 2018, the latter fined Petrobras $853.2 million in penalties to resolve the US government’s investigation into violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in connection with Petrobras’s role in facilitating payments to politicians and political parties in Brazil, as well as a related Brazilian investigation.
