Imagery Data Shows First Venezuelan Tanker Confiscated by American Authorities is Now Near the Texas Coast.

Satellite imagery and vessel monitoring information has confirmed that the crude carrier Skipper – the initial vessel apprehended by the US for allegedly carrying sanctioned crude from Venezuela – is now positioned near of Texas.

Vantor satellite imagery dated 21 December shows the tanker is in the vicinity of Galveston, while Automatic Identification System ship-tracking feeds from MarineTraffic presently positions the vessel about 50 miles offshore.

The Skipper was seized by American officials on the tenth of December and has been sanctioned by multiple governments. At the time it was seized, it was incorrectly sailing under the ensign of Guyana.

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

American agencies are currently targeting a third ship, which has been identified by the risk management group a risk firm as the Bella 1 tanker. President Donald Trump said recently that “it will ultimately be secured”.

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

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