Satellite Image Shows First Venezuela-Linked Tanker Seized by American Authorities is Now Off Texas.
American agents boarding the deck of the Skipper on December 10th.
Satellite imagery and ship tracking information has confirmed that the oil tanker named Skipper – the initial vessel apprehended by the United States for reportedly transporting sanctioned crude from the Venezuelan regime – is now positioned near of the state of Texas.
A satellite firm's satellite imagery from 21 December shows the ship is near the port of Galveston, while AIS ship-tracking data from a maritime data service presently positions the vessel about 50 miles offshore.
The tanker Skipper was taken into custody by American officials on 10 December and has been blacklisted by several nations. At the time it was intercepted, it was incorrectly sailing under the ensign of Guyana.
This seizure was succeeded by the capture of a another oil vessel, the Centuries. This ship – unlike the first vessel – was not under official restrictions when it was taken into American control.
American agencies are now targeting a third ship, which has been named by the maritime risk group Vanguard as the Bella 1 tanker. President Donald Trump said yesterday that “it will ultimately be secured”.
Writing on X, the maritime monitoring group said the vessel 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 speed decreases”.
The monitoring service further stated the vessel is “probably traveling south-east towards South Africa”.
