Satellite Image Shows First Venezuelan Oil Ship Confiscated by US is Now Near the Texas Coast.

Orbital data and vessel monitoring data has confirmed that the crude carrier named Skipper – the initial vessel apprehended by the United States for reportedly carrying sanctioned crude from the Venezuelan regime – is now off the coast of the state of Texas.

Vantor satellite imagery dated 21 December indicates the tanker is near the port of Galveston, while AIS ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic currently positions the vessel about 50 miles offshore.

The Skipper was seized by US authorities on 10 December and has been sanctioned by several nations. At the time it was intercepted, it was incorrectly sailing under the ensign of Guyana.

This seizure was succeeded by the capture of a another tanker, the Centuries. It – unlike the Skipper – was not under official restrictions when it was brought under US custody.

American agencies are now pursuing a third such ship, which has been identified by the risk management group Vanguard as the Bella 1. President Donald Trump stated recently that “it will ultimately be secured”.

Writing on X, the maritime monitoring group said the vessel Bella 1 has been “underway for 39 days” and, at an average speed of 11 knots, may have “approximately a month of diesel left unless her velocity decreases”.

The monitoring service further stated the tanker is “likely traveling in a southeasterly direction towards South Africa”.