Venezuela: Three Ships Detained for Suspected Fuel Smuggling

zoom Venezuelan navy has seized three vessels suspected of being involved in smuggling of diesel from the countrys Paraguana peninsula, Reuters reports. Oil taker Negra Hipolita, owned by Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., the Venezuelan state-owned oil and natural gas company, was found to be loaded with an excess load of 50,000 barrels of diesel fuel at the Cardon refinery, Admiral Andres Gomez is quoted by Reuters as saying. The remaining two tankers included Panama-flagged by vessel Mario G, chartered by PDVSA, and Paola Valentina, as both ships had in excess of 15,000 litres of fuel attempted of being smuggled. As informed, nine people were detained by the navy. Investigation into the case is underway. The move comes as the Venezuelan government pushes to curb fuel smuggling and corruption activities in its oil and gas sector. World Maritime News Staff