Iran starts shipping fuel oil to Singapore – reportAugust 23, 2012 - 15:00 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran has started moving nearly two million barrels of fuel oil to Singapore in the first such shipment since June, Reuters reported citing an Iran-based port source. Asia's top marine fuel trading hub secured exemption from U.S. financial sanctions on Iran late in June, after authorities leaned on oil companies operating in the city state to cut dealings with Iran. Although Singapore had been left off the first list of nations exempted from U.S. sanctions, it secured the reprieve after showing a significant dip in oil imports from Tehran. According to Reuters, shipping data shows the Iranian owned supertanker Leadership, which is set to arrive in Singapore sometime in early October, departed Iranian waters this week. The Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) was one of three supertankers that have been anchored off Iran's key export facility of Kharg Island, holding fuel oil and waiting for a buyer, an Iran-based shipping source told Reuters. "The vessel departed three days ago, but had been waiting for instructions since early July," the source said. "We were informed that they were waiting for buyers." The ship is currently passing India's west coast, Reuters data shows. Vessel transponder that had been switched off since May 29 were turned back on August 14, according to the data. NIOC officials responsible for the marketing of fuel oil could not be reached for comment. Residual fuel, which is typically used for refueling ships and for power generation, makes up the bulk of Iranian oil imports into Singapore. Imports of fuel oil from Iran fell to 38,000 metric tons in July, nearly 84 percent below those in June and well off a peak of 561,000 metric tons in February, data from trade agency International Enterprise show. Average monthly imports of fuel oil from Iran this year stand at 258,000 metric tons, 59 percent lower than last year's 624,000 metric tons. U.S. sanctions aim to slash the flow of oil revenues to Iran in order to try and force it to curb its nuclear program, which the West believes is being used to develop a bomb. Tehran says it needs nuclear reactors to supply electricity. Singapore is one of the world's biggest oil trading centers and fuel arriving in the city state from Iran is typically blended, stored, traded and transported from one ship to another by private companies operating on the island and in surrounding waters. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Macron honors Charles Aznavour on 100th anniversary French President Emmanuel Macron has paid tribute to the memory of French-Armenian crooner Charles Aznavour. Armenia PM meets Iran’s Supreme Leader in Tehran Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a meeting with Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Seyyed Ali Khamenei Ruling MP accuses opposition of “serving other countries' interests” Khachatur Sukiasyan has accused Armenia’s opposition of serving the interests of other countries Protest leader vows to achieve departure of Armenian authorities According to Archbishop Bagrat, there is only one solution to the situation in Armenia. |