The U.S. seized the Russian-flagged Marinera oil tanker — previously generally known as the Bella-1 — which has been linked to Venezuela and was transiting the North Atlantic, in response to three sources conversant in the operation. And it additionally seized one other tanker, in response to Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem.
The operation for the Marinera was being carried out by the U.S. Coast Guard and different navy belongings, in response to one supply. Russian navy vessels have been within the space because the scenario unfolded.
In a put up on X, U.S. European Command confirmed the seizure of the tanker within the North Atlantic.
“In two predawn operations immediately, the Coast Guard performed back-to-back meticulously coordinated boarding of two ‘ghost fleet’ tanker ships — one within the North Atlantic Sea and one in worldwide waters close to the Caribbean,” Noem stated in a put up on X. “Each vessels — the Motor Tanker Bella 1 and the Motor [Tanker] Sophia — have been both final docked in Venezuela or en path to it.”
U.S. European Command has confirmed in a put up on X, the seizure of the oil tanker Marinera, formally generally known as the M/V Bella 1 within the North Atlantic, Jan. 7, 2026.
U.S. European Command/X
The U.S. Coast Guard has been monitoring the Marinera tanker for the final two weeks after trying to grab it on Dec. 20 when the empty ship was within the Caribbean and apparently headed to Venezuela.
On Dec. 31 the Russian Maritime Register of Delivery listed the ship — with the brand new title of Marinera — as a Russian vessel. The ship’s crew additionally painted a Russian flag on the ship’s aspect.
The Bella-1 beforehand flew a false Panamanian flag and is suspected to be a part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” which Moscow is accused of utilizing to evade worldwide sanctions.
The ship lately activated its transponder permitting open supply maritime monitoring web sites to find the ship as being within the North Atlantic Ocean near Iceland and the UK.
The vessel tanker Bella 1 at Singapore Strait, after U.S. officers say the U.S. Coast Guard pursued an oil tanker in worldwide waters close to Venezuela, on this image taken from social media on March 18, 2025.
Hakon Rimmereid through Reuters
Russia’s International Ministry on Tuesday stated it was “monitoring with concern” the scenario across the ship.
“At current, our vessel is crusing within the worldwide waters of the North Atlantic beneath the state flag of the Russian Federation and in full compliance with the norms of worldwide maritime regulation,” the ministry stated.
“For causes unclear to us, the Russian ship is being given elevated and clearly disproportionate consideration by the U.S. and NATO navy, regardless of its peaceable standing,” it stated.
U.S. European Command has confirmed in a put up on X, the seizure of the oil tanker Marinera, formally generally known as the M/V Bella 1 within the North Atlantic, Jan. 7, 2026.
U.S. European Command/X
The vessel was put beneath U.S. sanctions in 2024 for carrying Hezbollah-owned cargo and for offering a type of help to the Iranian regime.
