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

Orbital data and ship tracking information has confirmed that the crude carrier named Skipper – the initial vessel apprehended by the United States for reportedly transporting embargoed oil from Venezuela – is now positioned near of the state of Texas.

Vantor satellite imagery dated 21 December indicates the tanker is near Galveston, while AIS ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic presently positions the Skipper about 50 miles offshore.

The Skipper was taken into custody by American officials on the tenth of December and has been sanctioned by several nations. At the time it was intercepted, it was falsely flying the flag of the nation of Guyana.

This seizure was followed by the interception of a second tanker, the Centuries. It – unlike the Skipper – was not under sanctions when it was taken into American control.

American agencies are currently targeting a third vessel, which has been identified by the maritime risk group Vanguard as the Bella 1 tanker. The US President stated yesterday that “it will ultimately be secured”.

Writing on the social media platform X, the TankerTrackers group said the Bella 1 has been “underway for 39 days” and, at an typical pace of 11 nautical miles per hour, may have “another 28 to 35 days of fuel remaining unless her speed decreases”.

The group further stated the tanker is “likely heading south-east towards South Africa”.