Energy
Vitol Set to Ship First Syrian Crude Oil Since Sanctions Lifted
Before Syria’s civil war, it produced several hundred thousand barrels a day of oil.
Photographer: Ed Ram/Getty Images
Vitol Group is set to load the first cargo of Syrian crude oil since the lifting of western sanctions on Damascus as the country’s energy industry attempts to recover from more than a decade of destruction from armed conflict.
The world’s biggest independent oil trader will transport the cargo to a refinery in Italy, according to a person familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified because it isn’t public. The shipment is due to load on Wednesday, the person said. The company declined to comment and Syria’s energy ministry didn’t respond to requests to do so.