Venezuela’s efforts to increase crude oil exports are being constrained by aging port infrastructure, with tankers waiting up to 30 days to load cargoes due to equipment failures, power outages, limited storage capacity and operational inefficiencies at key export terminals. Despite rising oil production and strong global demand, exports have struggled to exceed 1.25 million barrels per day as congestion builds, particularly at the Jose terminal, which handles about 70% of the country’s oil shipments. The delays are increasing shipping costs, triggering demurrage disputes, and creating competition for limited berth space just as energy reforms and eased sanctions are encouraging more companies to market Venezuelan crude. Industry officials acknowledge that significant investment in port and terminal infrastructure will be needed if Venezuela is to capitalize on its growing oil production and expand exports further.
