Reviews & Ratings for the Regina

In a significant maritime development, the Curaçao Maritime Authority has confirmed the detention of the tanker 'Regina', which recently discharged Venezuelan oil at the Bullen Bay terminal on two occasions in January. Reports indicate that the vessel was operating under a false flag, had deactivated its AIS transponder, and has been listed on U.S. sanctions for several years. Additionally, the 'Morning Sun' (IMO: 9110183), another tanker loaded with Venezuelan oil, was detained while anchored near Sint Eustatius, a special municipality of the Netherlands, by Dutch authorities. Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas welcomed the 'Regina', marking it as the first tanker to utilize the Bullen Bay oil terminal, which had remained inactive for an extended period. However, following an inspection conducted by maritime authorities a day later, serious safety deficiencies were discovered, including inadequacies in the lifeboats and the ship's hospital. Concerns about the legitimacy of the ship's flag prompted Curaçaoan authorities to reach out to the Netherlands for further investigation. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate confirmed that they held supervisory jurisdiction under the national Ships Act, even regarding the autonomous Curaçao. Interestingly, the Netherlands learned of the 'Regina's' dubious flag status only on January 21, following inquiries from the media. Despite these violations, the 'Regina' was allowed to return to Venezuela after offloading its initial oil cargo in mid-January. However, on January 28, the vessel docked again at Bullen Bay, prompting Curaçao's intervention. The next day, on January 29, the 'Regina' faced official detention due to its false flag status and inadequate safety certifications. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are assessing the situation to determine whether criminal charges will be pursued and who may be implicated. Furthermore, the joint Caribbean port authorities have also noted that the 'Morning Sun' has been prevented from sailing following its inspection, which revealed numerous defects unsafe for navigation. For more details, you can view the comprehensive report with photographs here: https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2026/02/07/olietankers-uit-venezuela-door-nederland-en-curacao-aan-de-ketting-gelegd-a4919777.

On January 14, 2026, the 'Regina' made headlines by offloading Venezuelan oil in Bullen Bay, Curaçao, while operating under a false flag. This shadow tanker not only turned off its mandatory transponder but also found itself in violation of US sanctions regulations. The vessel has remained on the US blacklist since 2023 due to its previous engagement in transporting sanctioned Iranian oil. Notably, the 'Regina' has not broadcast an AIS signal for over three years, raising significant concerns about its operations. Interestingly, the Curaçao Port Authority reported that the 'Regina' was flying the flag of East Timor, which later clarified to the International Maritime Organization that all registrations linked to this flag were fraudulent. In a further twist, the MMSI number provided by the 'Regina' had been hijacked and actually belongs to a different ship navigating the Mediterranean. Despite these alarming discrepancies, the tanker faced no barriers upon entering Curaçao's waters. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs remarked that permitting the tanker’s entry was a commercial decision, under the jurisdiction of local Curaçaoan authorities. In fact, 2Bays, a company fully owned by the Curaçao government, confirmed that Trafigura was contracted by the US government to market and transport Venezuelan oil under a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The Curaçao Maritime Authority and the harbor master are responsible for the admission of vessels to their ports, but controversy continues as just two days after the 'Regina,' another sanctioned vessel, 'Volans,' docked at the same site. Reports also indicate that another tanker, the 'Albedo,' was en route from Venezuela to Curaçao. According to Policy No: TI/027/06/25/IS issued by Cincooceanos Marine S.A. on June 10, 2025, the ownership of the ship is attributed to Deinzcilik Ltd. Siketi based in Tuzla. For further details and images, readers can visit the following link: https://www.curacao.nu/nieuws/nieuws-curacao-venezuela/84935/eerste-venezolaanse-olietanker-in-bullenbaai-schond-internationale-regels.