Satellite Image Reveals Initial Venezuela-Linked Oil Ship Confiscated by American Authorities is Now Near Texas.

Orbital data and ship tracking data has confirmed that the crude carrier named Skipper – the initial vessel seized by the US for reportedly carrying sanctioned oil from the Venezuelan regime – is now positioned near of Texas.

A satellite firm's satellite imagery from 21 December indicates the ship is in the vicinity of the port of Galveston, while Automatic Identification System ship-tracking feeds from MarineTraffic currently positions the vessel about 50 miles from the coast.

The tanker Skipper was taken into custody by US authorities on the tenth of December and has been blacklisted by multiple governments. When it was intercepted, it was falsely flying the flag of the nation of Guyana.

This seizure was followed by the interception of a another oil vessel, the Centuries. It – in contrast to the first vessel – was not under official restrictions when it was taken into American control.

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

Writing on X, the TankerTrackers group said the Bella 1 has been “in transit for 39 days” and, at an typical pace of 11 knots, may have “another 28 to 35 days of diesel left unless her velocity decreases”.

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