First post-JCPOA EU tankers arrive in Iran

TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) – IOTC managing director has announced the simultaneous arrival in Kharg oil terminal of three French and Spanish as well as Russian tankers after a four-year halt. Seyed Pirouz Mousavi, the Managing Director of the Iranian Oil Terminals Company (IOTC), referred to the mooring of the first oil tanker owned by France’s Total company at Kharg terminal in the Persian Gulf; “moreover, two other tankers belonging to Russia and Spain have also entered Iran’s largest oil terminal.” The official emphasized that the renewal of all docks, storage tanks, pipelines as well as oil facilities has alleviated all technical and operational barriers for the mooring, loading and separating of European and Asian tankers in Kharg oil terminal. He further estimated that the loading process for the three tankers will be accomplished in the course of 48 hours. Mousavi also noted that all stages of mooring, loading and separation of the tankers are carried out by the Iranian naval operation team maintaining “the present tankers are of Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) type and they have arrived in Iranian oil terminals four years after their commute had come to a standstill.” He pointed to the plans pursued by the National Iranian Oil Company (NOIC) in order to equip the vessels used in oil terminals in the Persian Gulf commenting “accordingly, construction of eight new towing, logistic and support vessels have been placed on the agenda.” Deputy Oil Minister Roknodin Javadi said on Saturday that “for the first time in the post-JCPOA era, the export of Iranian crude to Europe will be launched in the coming 24 hours.” NIOC managing director had stated “the first oil shipment to Europe consists of four million barrels, of which about two million belongs to Total company while the rest will be deployed to Spanish refineries and a Russian firm.” Previously, several European and Russian oil companies had expressed willingness to join the costumers of Iranian crude including Russia’s Lukoil and RussNeft, Repsol S.A. and Cepsa of Spain as well as Italy's Eni company and Saras refinery.