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International Cooperation Department
Tel.: (+86-21) 65853850-8034
Fax: (+86-21) 65373125
E-mail: ICDept@sisi-smu.org
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International Shipping |
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| US seizes Venezuela-linked Russian-flagged tanker |
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Date:2026-01-14 Readers:
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The US military has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela after a two-week pursuit across the Atlantic, reported Reuters.
Officials said the operation near Iceland involved the coast guard and US military, marking the first seizure of a Russian-flagged vessel in recent memory. The 318,518-dwt tanker, originally named Bella-1, had slipped through a blockade in the Caribbean and resisted boarding attempts before being renamed Marinera.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the blockade of Venezuelan oil remains in full effect worldwide. Russian military vessels, including a submarine, were reported in the vicinity, though there was no confrontation. Moscow has not commented, while Russian media published images of a helicopter near the ship.
The seizure followed a US special forces raid in Caracas that captured President Nicolas Maduro, who was flown to the United States to face drug trafficking charges. Sources said the tanker may enter British waters, though the Ministry of Defence declined to comment.
The coast guard has also intercepted another Venezuela-linked vessel, the Panama-flagged supertanker M Sophia, which departed in early January carrying oil to China in "dark mode."
Venezuela has millions of barrels of oil stranded due to sanctions imposed since mid-December. Trump said Caracas and Washington have agreed to export up to US$2 billion of crude to the United States, diverting supplies from China. He has demanded interim President Delcy Rodriguez grant US companies full access to Venezuela's oil industry. Analysts warn the shadow fleet of tankers remains vulnerable to punitive measures.
https://www.shippingazette.com/news?news_id=9260100000283
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