Satellite Data Reveals Initial Venezuela-Linked Tanker Confiscated by US is Currently Off the Texas Coast.
American agents roped onto the deck of the tanker Skipper on December 10th.
Orbital data and vessel monitoring data has confirmed that the oil tanker named Skipper – the first vessel apprehended by the US for allegedly transporting sanctioned crude from Venezuela – is now positioned near of Texas.
A satellite firm's satellite imagery from 21 December shows the ship is in the vicinity of the port of Galveston, while AIS ship-tracking feeds from MarineTraffic currently places the vessel about 50 miles from the coast.
The tanker Skipper was taken into custody by US authorities on 10 December and has been sanctioned 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 second oil vessel, the Centuries tanker. This ship – in contrast to the Skipper – was not yet under sanctions when it was taken into American control.
American agencies are now pursuing a third such vessel, which has been named by the risk management group a risk firm as the Bella 1 tanker. The US President stated yesterday that “we’ll end up getting it”.
Writing on the social media platform X, the maritime monitoring group noted the Bella 1 has been “in transit for 39 days” and, at an typical pace of 11 knots, may have “approximately a month of fuel left unless her velocity drops”.
The group added the tanker is “probably traveling south-east towards the South African coast”.
