Washington January 7 2026 (Agencies) – The United States has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic after a weeks-long pursuit, citing alleged violations of US sanctions linked to illicit oil shipments, the US European Command said.
The vessel, now named Marinera and previously known as Bella 1, was intercepted in international waters northwest of Scotland after being tracked by the US Coast Guard cutter Munro. The seizure was carried out pursuant to a warrant issued by a US federal court, according to the European Command.
US officials said the operation was conducted by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security in coordination with the US military. The command said the action supports President Donald Trump’s proclamation targeting sanctioned vessels that Washington says threaten security and stability in the Western Hemisphere.
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirmed that the seizure was connected to enforcement actions aimed at blocking sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil shipments. Officials said the tanker first came under scrutiny late last year when it attempted to approach Venezuela. A US Coast Guard effort to board the ship at the time was unsuccessful after the crew refused access and headed into the Atlantic.
During the pursuit, the vessel reportedly changed its name and switched its flag to Russia. US authorities said the tanker was ultimately intercepted and seized after continued monitoring across multiple regions.
Shortly after the capture of the Marinera, US Southern Command announced the seizure of another vessel in the Caribbean Sea. The second ship, identified as M/T Sophia, was described as a stateless and sanctioned tanker engaged in illicit activities. The US Coast Guard is escorting the vessel to the United States for final disposition.
The seizures mark a rare and forceful step in US sanctions enforcement at sea and are expected to further heighten tensions with Moscow, which has previously criticized similar actions as violations of international maritime law.