The vessel, initially known as the Bella 1, found itself at the center of international tension after being sanctioned by the United States in 2024. It was accused of being part of a “shadow fleet” engaged in the transport of illicit oil.
In an operation first reported by Reuters, the US Coast Guard and military successfully seized the tanker today. The operation was a significant development in the ongoing efforts to crack down on illegal oil shipments.
Last month, an attempt by the US Coast Guard to apprehend the ship near Venezuela was thwarted when the vessel turned around and eluded capture. However, the pursuit did not end there.
As the tanker made its way northeast, US forces remained determined. Surveillance efforts were ramped up with P-8 aircraft being dispatched from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, England, to keep a close watch as the ship passed by the UK coast, according to publicly available flight data.
In a dramatic twist, the crew of the tanker attempted to claim Russian protection by painting a Russian flag on its hull. This bold move was coupled with a rebranding of the ship as the Marinera, which soon appeared on Russia’s official ship register.
Amidst these developments, Russia lodged a formal diplomatic protest, urging the US to cease its pursuit of the vessel. Yet, despite these diplomatic entanglements, the US continued its mission, culminating in the successful seizure of the tanker.
By claiming Russian status, the legalities of seizing the tanker could become more complicated, but two sources familiar with the matter said the Trump administration hasn’t recognised that status and considers the vessel to be stateless.
The US repositioned military assets to the UK ahead of seizing the tanker, CNN reported.
At least 12 US C-17s landed at Fairford and Lakenheath airbases between January 3 and 5, many originating from airfields in the US.
V-22 Ospreys were also active in the UK over the past several days, with flight data appearing to show them running training missions in the eastern UK out of Fairford air base. And two AC-130 gunships were seen arriving at Mildenhall base in the UK on Sunday.
The US last used Special Operations Forces and assets to help interdict a sanctioned tanker on December 11, when it supported a US Coast Guard operation near the coast of Venezuela to seize the Skipper, a very large crude carrier that was falsely flying Guyana’s flag.
US President Donald Trump last month announced a “complete blockade” on sanctioned oil tankers attempting to enter or leave Venezuela, as a way to pressure the regime of then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The US captured Maduro from a compound in Caracas early on Saturday morning, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the US will continue to enforce the blockade as “leverage” over the interim Venezuelan government.
