After defying U.S. sanctions by shipping its first cargo of oil to Venezuela just last week, Iran is using the same ship to help the Latin American country export crude. The Iran-flagged supertanker Honey, also known as Horse, is loading Venezuela’s top exported grade Merey 16 at Venezuela’s government-controlled port of Jose, according to a shipping report seen by Bloomberg.
The shipments offer some relief to the nation’s hobbled oil industry, as most ship owners and oil traders shun business with the country for fear of sanctions.
The cargo on board of the Horse is expected to be sold in Asia, the main destination of Venezuelan crude.
Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA declined to comment. Venezuela’s information ministry and the U.S. State Department didn’t return an email seeking comment.