Imagery Data Reveals First Venezuela-Linked Tanker Confiscated by American Authorities is Currently Near Texas.
US personnel boarding the deck of the Skipper on 10 December.
Satellite imagery and ship tracking data has confirmed that the oil tanker named Skipper – the initial vessel seized by the United States for reportedly transporting sanctioned crude from Venezuela – is now off the coast of the state of Texas.
Vantor satellite imagery dated 21 December indicates the tanker is in the vicinity of the port of Galveston, while AIS vessel-tracking feeds from a maritime data service currently positions the vessel about 50 miles from the coast.
The Skipper was seized by American officials on the tenth of December and has been sanctioned by multiple governments. At the time it was seized, it was incorrectly flying the flag of the nation of Guyana.
This interception was succeeded by the capture of a another oil vessel, the Centuries tanker. This ship – in contrast to the Skipper – was not under sanctions when it was taken into American control.
American agencies are now targeting a third such ship, which has been identified by the maritime risk group a risk firm as the Bella 1. President Donald Trump stated recently that “it will ultimately be secured”.
Writing on X, the maritime monitoring group noted the Bella 1 has been “in transit for 39 days” and, at an average speed of 11 knots, may have “another 28 to 35 days of diesel left unless her velocity decreases”.
The group further stated the vessel is “likely heading south-east towards South Africa”.
