First Venezuelan Crude Tanker Departs for United States Under New Supply Agreement
A tanker carrying 1 million barrels of crude left Venezuela for Louisiana today. This marks the first direct shipment under a major new bilateral supply deal.
Insights:
On Sunday, January 25, 2026, the Liberia-flagged tanker Gloria Maris departed from the Jose port in Venezuela 
VE destined for the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) in the United States 
US. The vessel is carrying approximately 1 million barrels of Venezuelan Merey heavy crude. This shipment is the first direct cargo from Venezuelato a port in the United Statesunder the 50-million-barrel supply deal agreed between Caracas and Washington earlier this month.
VE destined for the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) in the United States US. The vessel is carrying approximately 1 million barrels of Venezuelan Merey heavy crude. This shipment is the first direct cargo from Venezuelato a port in the United Statesunder the 50-million-barrel supply deal agreed between Caracas and Washington earlier this month.The trading firms Trafigura and Vitol received the first licenses from the United Statesto load and export Venezuelan oil as part of the recent agreement. This resumption of direct flows follows a period of sanctions-driven disruptions where Venezuelafaced a blockade of all sanctioned tankers by the United States. The return of these volumes is significant for those monitoring Crude Oil WTI and provides a supply source for American refiners such as Valero Energy Corporation , Phillips 66 , and Marathon Petroleum Corporation . Chevron Corporation also remains a key player in the regional energy landscape.
