Amid sanctions pressure and oil export problems, Venezuela is increasingly turning to unconventional solutions in maritime logistics. One striking example is the return to service of a tanker previously officially decommissioned and slated for scrapping. The vessel was restored and reinstated, becoming part of the so-called “zombie fleet.”
These are old, worn-out vessels that would normally have long since left the market. However, restrictions on chartering, insurance, and the risk of tanker detention are forcing operators to use even vessels previously considered unserviceable.
🛢 These tankers are used both for transporting oil and as floating storage, allowing cargo to be held while awaiting buyers or safer routes. At the same time, the technical condition of many of them raises serious questions: age, limited maintenance, and the lack of full certification increase the risk of accidents and environmental incidents.
The growth of the “zombie fleet” reflects systemic pressure on Venezuelan oil exports. These are no longer isolated cases, but a persistent practice that impacts not only the region but also international shipping, insurance markets, and crew safety.
🫡 For seafarers, this trend is particularly alarming: working on vessels that should formally have been decommissioned means increased operational and technical risks.
Seamen’s Club 🇺🇦 | #news