Curaçao Receives First Venezuelan Crude Shipment Under New International Storage Framework

Arrival of the MV Regina at Bullen Bay marks a milestone in Curaçao’s reentry into global energy storage and logistics.

By: Haitian Prime News|January 2026|Curaçao

Curaçao has received its first shipment of Venezuelan crude oil under a newly approved international storage and trading framework, a development the government says represents a strategic opportunity for the island’s energy and logistics sectors.

The shipment follows recent authorization by the United States government allowing the transport and storage of an estimated 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil in the Caribbean region. The stored volumes are intended for future sale on international markets, including the United States, Europe, and Asia. As part of this arrangement, the Bullen Bay terminal in Curaçao was designated as one of the key storage and distribution locations.

International commodity trading companies Trafigura and Vitol are utilizing the Bullen Bay facility and are responsible for the transportation and commercialization of substantial volumes of crude oil worldwide, according to government statements.

Authorities confirmed that the first tanker, the MV Regina, has arrived in Curaçao carrying Venezuelan crude destined for storage at Bullen Bay. The arrival of the vessel is being described as an important milestone for the island’s port and energy sectors and a tangible step toward reestablishing Curaçao’s role in the global energy logistics chain.

Government officials stated that the development highlights Curaçao’s strategic importance, citing its geographic location and existing oil infrastructure. They emphasized that the arrangement presents renewed opportunities to activate the island’s logistical capacity in support of economic growth and employment.

The government also expressed appreciation for the management and employees of 2Bays and Curaçao Refinery Utilities (CRU), praising their professionalism and sustained efforts in facilitating the operation. Officials noted that the successful execution of the project demonstrates Curaçao’s capacity to respond effectively to changing geopolitical and geo-economic conditions and to convert those dynamics into measurable economic benefits.

With Bullen Bay’s deep-water port and its ability to accommodate some of the largest oil tankers in the world, authorities expect additional vessels to arrive in the coming period. The government said it views the development with confidence, noting that it reinforces Curaçao’s position as a reliable and strategic partner in international energy and trade and further strengthens the island’s role as a key logistics hub in the Caribbean.

Sources

Curaçao Chronicle

Government of Curaçao official communications