A seized tanker off Venezuela disrupts illegal oil trade, highlighting ongoing US efforts to curb terror financing.
Story Highlights
- The US Coast Guard seized the tanker Skipper carrying illicit oil from Iran and Venezuela.
- The vessel was captured in international waters near Venezuela, not near the US coast.
- This seizure is part of US sanctions enforcement against shadow fleet tankers.
- Sanctions aim to cut off funds to regimes and terror groups like Hezbollah and IRGC-QF.
US Seizes Sanctioned Tanker in International Waters
US authorities have seized the tanker Skipper in international waters off Venezuela for violating sanctions by transporting oil from Iran and Venezuela. The tanker was linked to networks funding groups like Hezbollah and IRGC-QF. The US Coast Guard, along with other agencies, executed the operation, marking a significant step in enforcing sanctions aimed at cutting terror financing.
The Skipper, previously known as Adisa, was carrying approximately 1.85 million barrels of crude oil worth over $90 million. This seizure underscores the US’s ongoing commitment to intercept vessels involved in the shadow fleet, which often use deceptive practices to evade detection and sanctions.
Background of the Shadow Fleet
The shadow fleet consists of aging tankers used to transport sanctioned oil from Iran and Venezuela. These vessels frequently deactivate their AIS to avoid traceability and often change names and flags. The Skipper’s activities were part of a network previously sanctioned by the US Treasury in 2022, which sought to disrupt illicit oil sales funding terrorist organizations.
In recent years, the US has intensified its sanctions and interdictions amid the growing Iran-Venezuela oil trade. This has included a military buildup in the Caribbean to target networks supporting the Maduro regime, which has been accused of narco-terrorism and serving as a hub for Iranian influence.
Recent Developments and Implications
Following the seizure, the Skipper reactivated its AIS east of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, heading north, though its destination remains unknown. The US Treasury’s OFAC has also sanctioned six additional Venezuela-linked tankers, signaling a broader crackdown on illegal oil shipments.
This operation demonstrates the US’s resolve in enforcing sanctions and disrupting networks that support terrorism. It sends a clear message to operators of the shadow fleet that their activities are under scrutiny and that the US is prepared to act decisively to curtail these illegal operations.
Sources:
Seized Shadow Fleet Tanker Gets Under Way in U.S. Coast Guard Custody
US says tanker it seized had shipped oil from Venezuela and Iran
