US Intercepts Venezuelan Oil Tanker Amid Blockade
In a significant move, US authorities have intercepted and boarded an oil tanker carrying Venezuelan crude east of Barbados. This operation marks the second seizure of a vessel linked to Venezuela’s oil trade and the first since President Donald Trump announced a blockade on sanctioned tankers. The US Coast Guard, supported by the Department of Defense, executed the pre-dawn boarding, emphasizing Washington’s commitment to curtail oil flows that allegedly fund criminal and narco-terrorism networks in the region.
Details of the Interception
The intercepted vessel, identified as the Panama-flagged VLCC Centuries, was boarded on Saturday morning. Although it is not currently listed on US, EU, UK, or UN sanctions lists, analysts have noted its history of transporting sanctioned Venezuelan cargoes. According to satellite imagery from Kpler, the tanker was observed loading crude oil at Venezuela’s Jose oil terminal shortly before the interception. The data firm also reported that the vessel had been transmitting spoofed AIS signals, complicating tracking efforts.
Prior to this incident, the Centuries had loaded approximately 1.8 million barrels of Merey-16 crude at the Jose terminal between December 7 and 11, marking its seventh export of Venezuelan oil since 2020. Reports indicate that the tanker was escorted by Venezuelan navy ships until it reached the edge of Venezuela’s exclusive economic zone, after which it continued alone. The boarding occurred outside that zone, raising questions about the extent of US enforcement of its new blockade.
This interception follows the seizure of the tanker Skipper on December 10 and comes just days after Trump declared a “total and complete” blockade on sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuelan waters. As the US intensifies its efforts, shipowners, traders, and insurers are closely monitoring how aggressively the blockade will be enforced and its potential implications for maritime operations in the region.
Implications for Venezuelan Oil Exports
The recent actions by US authorities come as Venezuela seeks to maintain its oil export operations. Sources familiar with the state-owned oil company PDVSA’s activities revealed that Caracas has authorized two VLCCs to sail for China, each carrying about 1.8 million barrels of Merey crude. While the US has stated it will not permit sanctioned vessels to leave Venezuelan waters, the two tankers involved are not currently on the US sanctions list, complicating enforcement efforts.
As the US conducts its second seizure in as many weeks, the global shipping community is on high alert. The effectiveness of the blockade and its reach beyond Venezuelan waters remain uncertain. The US Coast Guard’s actions signal a robust approach to combating the illicit oil trade that allegedly supports criminal enterprises and narco-terrorism in the region. The unfolding situation will likely have significant ramifications for both Venezuela’s oil industry and international maritime trade.
