Satellite Image Shows Initial Venezuela-Linked Tanker Seized by US is Now Near the Texas Coast.

Satellite imagery and ship tracking information has confirmed that the crude carrier named Skipper – the first vessel apprehended by the United States for reportedly transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela – is currently off the coast of the state of Texas.

A satellite firm's orbital photographs from 21 December shows the ship is in the vicinity of the port of Galveston, while Automatic Identification System vessel-tracking data from MarineTraffic currently places the vessel about 80km from the coast.

The tanker Skipper was taken into custody by US authorities on 10 December and has been sanctioned by multiple nations. At the time it was intercepted, it was incorrectly flying the ensign of Guyana.

This seizure was followed by the capture of a second oil vessel, the Centuries tanker. This ship – in contrast to the Skipper – was not under sanctions when it was brought under US custody.

American agencies are now pursuing a third vessel, which has been named by the maritime risk group a risk firm as the Bella 1. President Donald Trump stated recently that “it will ultimately be secured”.

Writing on the social media platform X, the TankerTrackers group said the vessel Bella 1 has been “underway for 39 days” and, at an average speed of 11 nautical miles per hour, may have “approximately a month of diesel remaining unless her velocity decreases”.

The group further stated the vessel is “probably heading in a southeasterly direction towards South Africa”.