Satellite Image Reveals Initial Venezuelan Tanker Seized by US is Currently Near Texas.

US personnel boarding a tanker deck

American personnel boarding the vessel of the tanker Skipper on December 10th.

Satellite imagery and ship tracking information has verified that the crude carrier named Skipper – the first vessel seized by the United States for allegedly carrying embargoed crude from the Venezuelan regime – is now off the coast of the state of Texas.

A satellite firm's satellite imagery from 21 December indicates the ship is near the port of Galveston, while Automatic Identification System vessel-tracking data from a maritime data service presently places the vessel about 50 miles from the coast.

The Skipper was seized by US authorities on the tenth of December and has been sanctioned by multiple nations. At the time it was seized, 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. This ship – unlike the first vessel – was not under official restrictions when it was brought under American control.

American agencies are now targeting a third vessel, which has been named by the risk management group a risk firm as the Bella 1. President Donald Trump stated recently that “we’ll end up getting it”.

Writing on the social media platform X, the TankerTrackers group noted the Bella 1 has been “in transit for 39 days” and, at an average speed of 11 knots, may have “approximately a month of fuel remaining unless her speed drops”.

The group further stated the tanker is “probably traveling south-east towards the South African coast”.

Kaitlyn Roberts
Kaitlyn Roberts

A passionate writer and lifestyle enthusiast sharing curated content on fashion, travel, and wellness from a UK perspective.