US tracking Russian-protected tanker from Caribbean to North Atlantic: Report

The United States is intensively monitoring a Russian-protected oil tanker that evaded a US Coast Guard boarding attempt in the Caribbean and is now transiting the North Atlantic. According to reports, the vessel, originally named Bella 1 and now re-registered as the Marinera under Russian jurisdiction, is heading toward the North Sea, raising the potential for a maritime confrontation.

Details of the Pursuit and Russian Protection

The tanker, sanctioned by Washington in 2024 for alleged involvement in illicit oil transport, was sighted near Venezuela’s coast in late December. When US forces attempted to board it, the crew executed a sharp U-turn and fled into the Atlantic. During the pursuit, the crew painted a Russian flag on the hull and claimed protection under Russian authority. Moscow subsequently added the ship to its official registry, listing Sochi as its home port, and issued a diplomatic demand for the US to halt its pursuit, complicating potential seizure under international law.

Current Location and US Intentions

Open-source tracking data indicates the vessel is moving northeast in the North Atlantic, approximately 250 miles off Ireland’s coast. Despite Russian diplomatic objections, multiple reports suggest the US is actively planning to intercept the Marinera and other sanctioned tankers. This high-stakes maritime chase underscores escalating tensions between Washington and Moscow over energy sanctions enforcement and freedom of navigation, a situation closely watched by global shipping and security analysts.