Satellite Image Shows Initial Venezuela-Linked Tanker Confiscated by US is Currently Near Texas.

Orbital data and vessel monitoring data has verified that the crude carrier Skipper – the first vessel apprehended by the US for allegedly transporting embargoed crude from the Venezuelan regime – is now off the coast of the state of Texas.

Vantor orbital photographs from 21 December indicates the tanker is near the port of Galveston, while AIS vessel-tracking data from a maritime data service currently positions the vessel about 50 miles offshore.

The Skipper was taken into custody by US authorities on 10 December and has been blacklisted by several governments. When it was intercepted, it was incorrectly flying the ensign of the nation of Guyana.

This seizure was followed by the capture of a second tanker, the Centuries. This ship – in contrast to the Skipper – was not yet 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. The US President said yesterday that “we’ll end up getting it”.

Writing on the social media platform X, the TankerTrackers group noted the Bella 1 has been “underway for over a month” and, at an typical pace of 11 nautical miles per hour, may have “another 28 to 35 days of diesel remaining unless her speed decreases”.

The monitoring service added the vessel is “likely heading in a southeasterly direction towards South Africa”.