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Trinidad Refinery Swaps Crude Sources on Ebola Scare

Trinidad & Tobago is substituting crude from Gabon with Colombian and Russian shipments amid protests by refinery workers alarmed by the outbreak of Ebola in other African countries. Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine halted oil purchases from Gabon, the Caribbean country’s only African supplier in the past 20 months, he said in an e-mailed response to questions. The decision follows the refusal of workers from Petrotrin, which operates Trinidad’s sole refinery, to assist with the berthing of a tanker that arrived in Trinidad waters on Oct. 18 from Gabon. The vessel, called Overseas Yellowstone, eventually docked late yesterday using outsourced tugs and labor, Ramnarine said. “The situation is dynamic and we will review if need be,” the minister wrote. “It should, however, be noted that there is no Ebola outbreak in Gabon.” Gabon, which has had Ebola outbreaks in 2001-2002, 1996-1997 and 1994, is not among countries currently citing cases […]

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