US Confiscates Russian Oil Tanker Linked to Venezuela
- the United States government seized the oil tanker Bella 1 in the North Atlantic Ocean on February 14, 2024, after determining it was part of a network facilitating...
- The Bella 1 was sanctioned by the U.S.Treasury Department for operating within a network of tankers used to circumvent international sanctions on Russian oil.
- government, these tankers often engage in ship-to-ship transfers to disguise the oil's origin and use falsified documentation to evade detection.
U.S.Seizes Russian Oil Tanker, the Bella 1
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the United States government seized the oil tanker Bella 1 in the North Atlantic Ocean on February 14, 2024, after determining it was part of a network facilitating the transport of illicit Russian oil. The tanker was previously known as the Bella 1 and had been sanctioned in 2024 for its involvement in a “shadow fleet.”
Sanctions and the “Shadow Fleet”
The Bella 1 was sanctioned by the U.S.Treasury Department for operating within a network of tankers used to circumvent international sanctions on Russian oil. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated the vessel as a Specially Designated National (SDN), effectively blocking its access to the U.S. financial system.This “shadow fleet” utilizes deceptive shipping practices to obscure the origin and destination of Russian oil, allowing Russia to continue generating revenue despite sanctions.
According to the U.S. government, these tankers often engage in ship-to-ship transfers to disguise the oil’s origin and use falsified documentation to evade detection. The Bella 1‘s involvement in these practices led to its designation.
Military Movements and Seizure Location
Prior to the seizure, the Russian military repositioned naval assets, including a submarine, in the vicinity of the Bella 1. A U.S. official reported that these movements were intended to protect the tanker, though the proximity of the Russian vessels at the time of the seizure remains unclear. The seizure occurred approximately 190 miles off the southern coast of iceland in the North Atlantic Ocean, as tracked by MarineTraffic.
MarineTraffic data shows the Bella 1 making a sudden southward turn around the time reports of its seizure surfaced, suggesting an attempt to alter course or evade capture.
Additional Seizure in the Caribbean
On the same day as the Bella 1 seizure,the U.S. Southern Command announced the seizure of another vessel in the Caribbean Sea. The announcement was made via X (formerly Twitter), but details regarding the second vessel and its connection to illicit activities remain limited as of February 15, 2024.