The Hong Kong-flagged Sea Horse is now crossing the Atlantic after loading cargo during a ship-to-ship transfer off Cyprus. Its destination: Cuba, where fuel scarcity continues to strain power generation and transportation networks.
Maritime tracking data from MarineTraffic shows the 160-metre vessel sailing at roughly nine knots toward the Caribbean, with arrival expected in early March. Analysts at SeaEmploy, which monitors shipping movements and crewing trends, note that such transfers often draw attention when they involve Russian-origin refined products.
Tanker carrying Russian fuels heads towards Cuba as US enforcement tightens
The voyage unfolds under intensified US sanctions enforcement. Washington has expanded scrutiny of vessels suspected of facilitating high-risk oil trades linked to Russia. Authorities have recently targeted tankers that engage in opaque ship-to-ship transfers, especially in areas such as the eastern Mediterranean.
The Sea Horse reportedly loaded its cargo from the tanker E Pioneer during a 12-hour offshore transfer near Cyprus. Ship-to-ship operations remain legal in many contexts. However, regulators view them as high-risk when operators obscure cargo origin or ownership structures. The US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued multiple advisories warning shipping firms, insurers, and flag registries about exposure to sanctions breaches.
Cuba’s reliance on imported fuels adds urgency to the story. The island depends on external suppliers for a significant share of its refined petroleum needs. Domestic production cannot meet demand. Power plants burn fuel oil and diesel to keep the grid stable. When deliveries slow, blackouts follow.
Cuba fuel shortages deepen amid Russian oil flows and sanctions pressure
Cuba has experienced severe supply constraints since the beginning of the year. Rolling blackouts have affected households and industries alike. Public transportation systems have cut routes. Economic activity has slowed further in a country already battling inflation and limited foreign currency reserves.
Russian energy supplies have become more visible in Cuba’s import mix since Western sanctions reshaped global trade flows in 2022. Moscow has redirected crude and refined products to buyers willing to navigate complex compliance environments. Havana, facing restricted access to traditional financing and trade channels, has strengthened energy cooperation with Russia.
This transatlantic voyage reflects those shifting patterns. Tankers now follow longer and less predictable routes. Intermediaries handle transactions. Documentation layers increase. Each step aims to reduce legal and financial exposure, yet each step also raises red flags for regulators.
US authorities have intercepted or sanctioned several vessels in recent months for alleged sanctions evasion. While not every ship-to-ship transfer signals wrongdoing, enforcement agencies now monitor such operations closely. Satellite tracking, AIS data, and port inspections support investigations. The result: a maritime environment defined by caution and risk assessment.
