Guards have disrupted the loading of an Onassis-owned tanker in Libya in a wage dispute.
Security consultancy Ambrey reported Petroleum Facilities Guards (PFG) staged a sit-in protest over salary arrears at the Hariga Oil Terminal in Tobruk, where the 150,000-dwt Olympic Fighter (built 2015) was attempting to take on 1m barrels of Sarir/Mesla crude.
The vessel had been chartered by China's Unipec for loading between 1 and 3 January.
But the PFG blockaded the terminal as part of a long-standing dispute with the United Nations-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).
In a video statement, the PFG vowed to continue the disruption until their salary arrears were settled.
Onassis company Olympic Shipping & Management was not available for comment on what is a Greek holiday on Wednesday.
The Platts news agency reported the PFG is threatening to halt crude exports from the eastern port. They had refused to let the tanker enter the berth.
The eastern PFG is loyal to the rebel Libyan National Army (LNA). The group says it is owed wages for several months.
Exports have only just restarted in Libya after a ceasefire was agreed in the country's civil war.
Output jumped to more than 1.2m barrels per day in December, the highest level in more than six years.
Fears of escalation
Sources told Platts they are concerned that the PFG might take similar action at other eastern ports, such as Ras Lanuf, Es Sider, Brega and Zueitina.
But other players expect the issue is likely to be settled in a matter of days.
"It is only a matter of salary payment and there is no military action associated," a shipbroker said. "We expect this to resolve quickly as the oil exports are key to the country."
No impact on tanker rates was reported, with suezmax rates under pressure anyway due to ample supply and limited cargoes.
Fearnley Securities estimated earnings on key routes as just $341 per day on Tuesday, down 32% from Monday.
Offers flooding in
Unipec reportedly received offers from 11 owners for another suezmax cargo loading in Hariga on 18 January.
UK shipbroker Howe Robinson Partners said a few more questions were beginning to be asked across the suezmax market.
"However, tonnage continues to be in strong supply in all areas with multiple offers going into cargoes, resulting in rates softening in West Africa," it added. "Sentiment remains weak as we head into Wednesday."
