Satellite Data Reveals Initial Venezuela-Linked Tanker Confiscated by US is Currently Off the Texas Coast.
US personnel roped onto the vessel of the tanker Skipper on December 10th.
Satellite imagery and ship tracking data has confirmed that the crude carrier Skipper – the initial vessel seized by the US for allegedly carrying embargoed oil from Venezuela – is now positioned near of Texas.
A satellite firm's orbital photographs dated 21 December shows the ship is near the port of Galveston, while AIS vessel-tracking feeds from MarineTraffic presently places the Skipper about 50 miles offshore.
The tanker Skipper was seized by American officials on 10 December and has been blacklisted by multiple nations. At the time it was seized, it was falsely sailing under the flag of Guyana.
This interception was succeeded by the interception of a second tanker, the Centuries. It – unlike the first vessel – was not under sanctions when it was brought under American control.
US authorities are currently targeting a third ship, which has been identified by the maritime risk group a risk firm as the Bella 1 tanker. President Donald Trump stated yesterday that “it will ultimately be secured”.
Writing on X, the TankerTrackers group noted the Bella 1 has been “underway for 39 days” and, at an average speed of 11 knots, may have “approximately a month of fuel left unless her velocity decreases”.
The group added the vessel is “likely heading in a southeasterly direction towards the South African coast”.
