Satellite Data Shows First Venezuela-Linked Tanker Seized by US is Currently Near the Texas Coast.

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

A satellite firm's satellite imagery from 21 December shows the tanker is near the port of Galveston, while AIS vessel-tracking feeds from a maritime data service presently positions the vessel about 80km offshore.

The tanker Skipper was seized by US authorities on 10 December and has been sanctioned by multiple governments. When it was seized, it was falsely sailing under the flag of Guyana.

This interception was succeeded by the interception of a another tanker, the Centuries. It – in contrast to the first vessel – was not under official restrictions when it was brought under US custody.

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

Writing on the social media platform X, the TankerTrackers group said the vessel Bella 1 has been “underway for 39 days” and, at an average speed of 11 nautical miles per hour, may have “approximately a month of diesel remaining unless her velocity decreases”.

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