Imagery Data Reveals First Venezuela-Linked Tanker Seized by American Authorities is Currently Off the Texas Coast.
American agents roped onto the vessel of the tanker Skipper on December 10th.
Satellite imagery and ship tracking information has verified that the crude carrier Skipper – the first vessel apprehended by the US for allegedly carrying sanctioned crude from the Venezuelan regime – is currently off the coast of the state of Texas.
A satellite firm's satellite imagery dated 21 December shows the tanker is near Galveston, while AIS vessel-tracking data from a maritime data service currently positions the vessel about 50 miles from the coast.
The tanker Skipper was seized by US authorities on 10 December and has been blacklisted by several nations. When it was seized, it was incorrectly flying the ensign of Guyana.
This interception was followed by the capture of a second oil vessel, the Centuries. This ship – unlike the first vessel – was not under official restrictions when it was brought under American control.
US authorities are currently targeting a third ship, which has been identified by the maritime risk group Vanguard as the Bella 1 tanker. The US President stated yesterday that “it will ultimately be secured”.
Writing on the social media platform X, the TankerTrackers group said the vessel Bella 1 has been “in transit for 39 days” and, at an typical pace of 11 knots, may have “another 28 to 35 days of fuel remaining unless her velocity decreases”.
The group added the tanker is “likely traveling south-east towards South Africa”.
