Literally happeninging just now as I type.
Venezuelan tanker which broke through the Caribbean blockade heading towards Russia is currently being boarded by US Special Forces just off UK coast.
It came from Iran to Venezuela, was heading from there to Russia changing it's name and registration to Russia.
No oil on board..... so what is on there?
I am literally just heading out to see clients, so will miss the initial news links to this breaking news, my apologies.
Rainbows
Jane

Quote:WASHINGTON, Jan 7 (Reuters) - The United States is attempting to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker with links to Venezuela after a more than two-week-long pursuit across the Atlantic and as a Russian submarine and warship were close by, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Wednesday.
The seizure, which could stoke tensions with Russia, came after the tanker, originally known as the Bella-1, slipped through a U.S. maritime "blockade" of sanctioned tankers and rebuffed U.S. Coast Guard efforts to board it.

ETA Reuters : Reuters link

Is this one of those ghost ships that illegally change it's flag and registration and name to avoid sanctions?

(01-07-2026, 08:20 AM)FlyersFan Wrote: Is this one of those ghost ships that illegally change it's flag and registration and name to avoid sanctions?

No, not to avoid sanctions I don't think. The US have been tracking it for last 2 weeks.
US flying out of UK bases.
I've updates my op with quote from Reuters
Rainbows
Jane

(01-07-2026, 08:25 AM)angelchemuel Wrote: No, not to avoid sanctions I don't think. The US have been tracking it for last 2 weeks.
US flying out of UK bases.
I've updates my op with quote from Reuters
Rainbows
Jane

https://www.foxnews.com/world/us-forces-...ources-say 

This was literally done by them to avoid sanctions....
 

Quote:The vessel, previously operating under the name Bella 1, has spent more than two weeks attempting to slip past U.S. enforcement efforts targeting sanctioned oil shipments near Venezuela,

(01-07-2026, 08:32 AM)PorkChop96 Wrote: https://www.foxnews.com/world/us-forces-...ources-say 

This was literally done by them to avoid sanctions....
 

Thank you.
Live updates Guardian live updates

Rainbows
Jane

Big development and agree it is a bit odd such a risk was taken when it is allegedly 'empty' - maybe there's officials/intel agents on board or seized due to history of smuggling Iranian oil - will be interesting to see what, if any, response Russia aim at the UK in retaliation.

Hopefully it's a succesful operation and Russian warships/submarines guarding the tanker don't fire on US forces as things could escalate very quickly [imagine behind the scenes Putin has bowed to Trump or similar arangements have been made than risk WW3 on a reportedly 'empty' tanker.

(01-07-2026, 08:38 AM)bastion Wrote: Big development and agree it is a bit odd such a risk was taken when it is allegedly 'empty' - maybe there's officials/intel agents on board or seized due to history of smuggling Iranian oil - will be interesting to see what, if any, response Russia aim at the UK in retaliation.

Hopefully it's a succesful operation and Russian warships/submarines guarding the tanker don't fire on US forces as things could escalate very quickly [imagine behind the scenes Putin has bowed to Trump or similar arangements have been made than risk WW3 on a reportedly 'empty' tanker.

Indeed!
NBC is apparently reporting that it has been boarded and seized.
Laters peeps, I have clients to see.
I wont be back until 7pm GMT and I'll look forward to all your updates!!!
Rainbows
Jane

Is this the oil tanker that the crew paints a Russian flag on the side of ship? 

(01-07-2026, 09:44 AM)imitator Wrote: Is this the oil tanker that the crew paints a Russian flag on the side of ship? 

To be honest, i'm not seeing much paint on the side of that ship.