Satellite Image Reveals Initial Venezuela-Linked Tanker Confiscated by American Authorities is Currently Near Texas.
American agents boarding the deck of the tanker Skipper on 10 December.
Orbital data and ship tracking data has confirmed that the crude carrier named Skipper – the initial vessel seized by the United States for reportedly carrying embargoed crude from the Venezuelan regime – is now positioned near of the state of Texas.
A satellite firm's orbital photographs from 21 December indicates the tanker is in the vicinity of the port of Galveston, while Automatic Identification System ship-tracking feeds from a maritime data service presently places the Skipper about 50 miles offshore.
The Skipper was taken into custody by American officials on 10 December and has been blacklisted by several governments. When it was intercepted, it was incorrectly flying the ensign of Guyana.
This interception was succeeded by the interception of a another tanker, the Centuries tanker. It – unlike the first vessel – was not yet under sanctions when it was taken into American control.
US authorities are currently targeting a third ship, which has been named by the maritime risk group a risk firm as the Bella 1. The US President stated yesterday that “it will ultimately be secured”.
Writing on X, the maritime monitoring group noted the vessel Bella 1 has been “in transit for 39 days” and, at an average speed of 11 nautical miles per hour, may have “another 28 to 35 days of fuel left unless her speed drops”.
The monitoring service added the tanker is “likely heading south-east towards South Africa”.
