Satellite Image Shows First Venezuela-Linked Tanker Confiscated by American Authorities is Now Off the Texas Coast.

Satellite imagery and vessel monitoring data has verified that the oil tanker Skipper – the first vessel seized by the United States for reportedly transporting embargoed oil from the Venezuelan regime – is currently off the coast of Texas.

A satellite firm's satellite imagery from 21 December indicates the ship is near the port of Galveston, while AIS ship-tracking feeds from MarineTraffic currently places the vessel about 80km offshore.

The tanker Skipper was seized by American officials on 10 December and has been sanctioned by several nations. When it was seized, it was falsely sailing under the ensign of the nation of Guyana.

This interception was followed by the capture of a another oil vessel, the Centuries. It – unlike the first vessel – was not under official restrictions when it was brought under American control.

US authorities are currently pursuing a third vessel, which has been identified by the maritime risk group a risk firm as the Bella 1 tanker. The US President stated yesterday that “we’ll end up getting it”.

Writing on the social media platform X, the maritime monitoring group said the vessel Bella 1 has been “in transit for 39 days” and, at an typical pace of 11 knots, may have “approximately a month of fuel remaining unless her velocity drops”.

The monitoring service further stated the vessel is “likely heading south-east towards the South African coast”.