U.S. seizes Nigerian-owned supertanker over alleged crude theft

U.S. seizes Nigerian-owned supertanker over alleged crude theft

The United States Coast Guard, in collaboration with the U.S. Navy, has seized a Nigerian-owned supertanker, identified as the Skipper, over allegations of crude oil theft, piracy, and links to transnational criminal networks. Here are the key details.

- Vessel Details: The Skipper is a 20-year-old Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) with IMO Number 9304667, owned and managed by Nigeria-based Thomarose Global Ventures Ltd., although its registered owner is listed as Triton Navigation Corp., headquartered in the Marshall Islands.

- Allegations: The vessel is suspected of transporting stolen crude oil, hard drugs, and operating within a network linked to Iranian and Islamist-backed money laundering financiers.

- Seizure: The operation was carried out under American law enforcement authority, with President Donald Trump announcing the seizure on December 10, 2025.

- Flag Controversy: The tanker was flying the Guyanese flag without authorization, prompting Guyana's Maritime Administration Department to confirm that the vessel is not registered in the country.

- Ownership Status: Thomarose Global Ventures Ltd., the Nigeria-based company managing the vessel, is currently listed as inactive by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Nigeria.

It's worth noting that there seems to be some confusion regarding the specifics of the seizure, with some sources indicating the vessel was seized off the coast of Venezuela, while others mention no specific location. Further clarification would be necessary to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the seizure

From Iran to China to Venezuela - how tanker seized by US hid true location

The US seized a tanker named Skipper off the coast of Venezuela, which had been hiding its true location by broadcasting false data. Here are the key details:

How the Tanker Hid its Location:

- The vessel used a technique called "spoofing" to fake its location, making it appear as if it was anchored near Guyana and Suriname when it was actually hundreds of miles off the coast of Venezuela.

- The ship's transponder was manipulated to show false coordinates, allowing it to evade detection.

- Satellite imagery and photographs revealed the vessel's true location and activities, including loading oil at Venezuela's José oil terminal.¹ ²

The Tanker's History:

- The Skipper has a history of transporting sanctioned oil from Iran and Venezuela, with multiple trips to both countries.

- It delivered Iranian oil to Syria in 2024, aiding the government in sustaining the civil war.

- Between February and July 2025, the tanker transported nearly 2 million barrels of crude oil from Iran to China.

- The vessel has been sanctioned by the US for its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations.

The Seizure:

- The US Coast Guard, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Pentagon executed a seizure warrant for the tanker, citing its involvement in transporting sanctioned oil.

- The operation involved helicopters and special forces personnel, who boarded the vessel and took control.

- President Donald Trump confirmed the seizure, stating that the US would "keep the oil".

‘Act of piracy’ or law: Can the US legally seize a Venezuelan tanker?

The US seizure of the Venezuelan oil tanker, identified as the Skipper, has sparked controversy and raised questions about the legality of the action under international law. Here's what's known so far¹ ² ³:

- US Claim: The US claims the seizure was lawful, citing the vessel's involvement in transporting sanctioned oil and its connection to foreign terrorist organizations, specifically the IRGC-Quds Force. The US Treasury Department had previously sanctioned the tanker for its alleged role in shipping Iranian oil to support Hezbollah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

- Vessel's Status: The tanker was flying a Guyanese flag without authorization, which Guyana's Maritime Administration Department has condemned. According to international law, a ship's flag state typically has jurisdiction over the vessel. However, the US argues that the vessel's statelessness, due to its unauthorized use of the Guyanese flag, allows for US jurisdiction.

- International Law: Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), ships on the high seas are generally subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of their flag state. However, the US maintains that its domestic laws, including the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act, permit the seizure of vessels involved in sanction-busting or supporting terrorist organizations.

- Statelessness Doctrine: The US has invoked the "statelessness doctrine," which allows it to exercise jurisdiction over vessels without a valid flag or nationality. This doctrine is central to the US's argument that the seizure was lawful.

- Venezuela's Response: Venezuela has denounced the seizure as "blatant theft" and an "act of international piracy," arguing that the US has no jurisdiction to seize Venezuelan state assets in international waters.

- Implications: The seizure has significant implications for international maritime law and the enforcement of US sanctions. It may set a precedent for future seizures of sanctioned vessels and raises questions about the limits of US jurisdiction over foreign vessels.

Experts have weighed in on the issue, with some arguing that the US action was lawful under its domestic laws, while others question its legitimacy under international law.

Oil Tanker U.S. Seized Off Venezuela Has Faked Its Location Before, Data Shows

The US seized a massive oil tanker, identified as the Skipper, off the coast of Venezuela, sparking controversy and raising questions about the legality of the action. Here are the key details¹ ² ³:

- The Tanker's History: The Skipper has a history of transporting sanctioned oil from Iran and Venezuela, and has been sanctioned by the US for its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations.

- Faking Location: The tanker used a technique called "spoofing" to fake its location, making it appear as if it was anchored near Guyana and Suriname when it was actually hundreds of miles off the coast of Venezuela.

- Seizure Operation: The US Coast Guard, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Pentagon executed a seizure warrant for the tanker, which was carrying approximately 1.8 million barrels of heavy crude oil.

- US Claim: The US claims the seizure was lawful, citing the vessel's involvement in transporting sanctioned oil and its connection to foreign terrorist organizations.

- Venezuela's Response: Venezuela has denounced the seizure as "international piracy" and "blatant theft," accusing the US of trying to steal its oil resources.

- Potential Implications: The seizure may set a precedent for future seizures of sanctioned vessels and raises questions about the limits of US jurisdiction over foreign vessels. Over 30 sanctioned ships in Venezuela are at risk of punishment by Washington following this seizure.

- Oil Market Impact: The seizure has caused a stir in the oil market, with Brent crude prices inching higher due to short-term supply concerns. The seized oil is valued at approximately $95 million.

- US-Venezuela Tensions: The seizure has escalated tensions between the US and Venezuela, with Venezuela accusing the US of aggression and the US maintaining its pressure campaign against the Maduro government.