Satellite Data Reveals Initial Venezuela-Linked Tanker Seized by US is Currently Near Texas.
American agents roped onto the vessel of the tanker Skipper on December 10th.
Orbital data and vessel monitoring data has confirmed that the crude carrier Skipper – the initial vessel apprehended by the US for allegedly transporting embargoed crude from Venezuela – is now positioned near of Texas.
A satellite firm's orbital photographs dated 21 December indicates the tanker is near Galveston, while Automatic Identification System ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic currently positions the Skipper about 80km offshore.
The tanker Skipper was taken into custody by US authorities on the tenth of December and has been sanctioned by several governments. At the time it was seized, it was incorrectly flying the ensign of the nation of Guyana.
This interception was succeeded by the interception of a another tanker, the Centuries. This ship – in contrast to the first vessel – was not under official restrictions when it was brought under American control.
American agencies are currently pursuing a third vessel, which has been named by the risk management group a risk firm as the Bella 1 tanker. President Donald Trump said recently that “we’ll end up getting it”.
Writing on X, the maritime monitoring group said the vessel Bella 1 has been “underway for 39 days” and, at an average speed of 11 knots, may have “another 28 to 35 days of fuel left unless her speed decreases”.
The monitoring service further stated the tanker is “probably heading south-east towards South Africa”.
