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

Orbital data and vessel monitoring information has verified that the crude carrier Skipper – the initial vessel seized by the United States for reportedly carrying sanctioned oil from the Venezuelan regime – is currently off the coast of the state of Texas.

A satellite firm's orbital photographs dated 21 December indicates the ship is near Galveston, while Automatic Identification System vessel-tracking feeds from a maritime data service currently places the vessel about 80km from the coast.

The tanker Skipper was seized by American officials on the tenth of December and has been sanctioned by multiple governments. When it was intercepted, it was incorrectly flying the flag of the nation of Guyana.

This seizure was followed by the capture of a another oil vessel, the Centuries tanker. It – unlike the Skipper – was not under sanctions when it was brought under American control.

US authorities are currently targeting a third vessel, which has been identified by the risk management group a risk firm as the Bella 1 tanker. The US President said yesterday that “it will ultimately be secured”.

Writing on X, the maritime monitoring group said the vessel Bella 1 has been “in transit for over a month” and, at an average speed of 11 knots, may have “approximately a month of diesel remaining unless her speed drops”.

The monitoring service further stated the vessel is “probably traveling south-east towards the South African coast”.