Trump Puts Spotlight on Venezuelan Oil With Stop in Corpus Christi

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump picked a rare backdrop for a campaign speech: an Aframax tanker moored at Corpus Christi's general cargo terminal, a breakbulk and heavy-lift pier with on-dock rail and warehousing.

The vessel in question, the Angerona, is a Marshall Islands-flagged crude oil tanker built in 2008 and operated by commodity trader Trafigura, one of two firms initially tapped to lead the U.S. marketing program for Venezuelan crude. Historical AIS data suggests the Angerona last called in Venezuela four months ago, and has since been trading in the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Carribean. At Corpus Christi, vessels of her size may also be used for lightering to move oil to or from a larger tanker located offshore.

"Do you see the little ship out there?" Trump said, gesturing at Angerona. "It's got one million barrels of oil on it from Venezuela. We are celebrating the greatest oil victory in history. To the victor belong the spoils, right? But thanks to our victory in our recent war with Venezuela, the oil and . . . look at this, look at that ship, is that beautiful, finally?"

Earlier in the day, Trump said that the oil on the ship was being "provided to the United States at zero cost to the American taxpayer" and had been sent to him as a "gift." He also raised the possibility of making Venezuela into America's "51st State."

This story was originally published by The Maritime Executive. Read the full story at The Maritime Executive →