Satellite Data Shows Initial Venezuela-Linked Tanker Confiscated by American Authorities is Currently Off the Texas Coast.
US agents boarding the deck of the tanker Skipper on 10 December.
Satellite imagery and ship tracking data has verified that the oil tanker Skipper – the initial vessel apprehended by the US for reportedly transporting sanctioned crude from the Venezuelan regime – is now positioned near of Texas.
A satellite firm's satellite imagery from 21 December indicates the tanker is near Galveston, while AIS ship-tracking data from a maritime data service currently positions the vessel about 80km from the coast.
The Skipper was taken into custody by US authorities on the tenth of December and has been sanctioned by several governments. When it was intercepted, it was incorrectly sailing under the flag of the nation of Guyana.
This seizure was followed by the capture of a another oil vessel, the Centuries. It – unlike the first vessel – was not yet under official restrictions when it was brought under US custody.
US authorities are currently targeting a third such ship, which has been identified by the maritime risk group a risk firm as the Bella 1. President Donald Trump said yesterday that “it will ultimately be secured”.
Writing on the social media platform X, the maritime monitoring group noted the Bella 1 has been “in transit for over a month” and, at an typical pace of 11 knots, may have “approximately a month of fuel left unless her speed drops”.
The group further stated the vessel is “probably traveling south-east towards South Africa”.
