U.S. Intercepts Oil Smuggling Ship Off Venezuela
The recent interception of the cargo ship Skipper by U.S. forces off the coast of Venezuela highlights the ongoing battle against illegal oil trafficking. Captured on December 10, the Skipper was carrying 1.8 million barrels of crude oil and is linked to a network that defies international sanctions. This operation is part of a broader U.S. initiative targeting drug trafficking in the Caribbean, which allegedly funds illegal activities through oil revenues.
Skipper’s Troubling History and Ownership
The Skipper, which has been in operation for two decades, was flying the Guyanese flag, despite the country denying any records of the vessel. Previously known as Adisa, the ship was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury three years ago for smuggling oil on behalf of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Hezbollah. Owned by Triton Navigation Corp., the ship is linked to Viktor Artemov, a Ukrainian-born oil magnate residing in Switzerland. The U.S. government claims that Venezuela uses oil profits to finance drug trafficking, justifying the seizure of the Skipper as part of its anti-drug operations.
Following the Skipper’s capture, data from TankerTrackers.com revealed that at least 38 of the 75 tankers off the Venezuelan coast were already on U.S. sanctions lists. This includes the Centuries, intercepted shortly after the Skipper, and the Bella 1, which was also targeted while attempting to load cargo in Venezuela. These vessels are part of a larger network of ships known as the “phantom fleet,” which operates to evade international sanctions imposed by the U.S., EU, and UN.
The phantom fleet consists of aging vessels that engage in illicit oil trading and other smuggling operations. Analysts estimate that around 3,300 ships currently make up this fleet, transporting approximately 3.6 billion barrels of crude oil in 2025 alone. Countries like Russia, Venezuela, and Iran are at the forefront of this illicit trade, with others like North Korea and Syria also benefiting from these practices.
Challenges in Combating the Phantom Fleet
The maritime network of the phantom fleet operates under opaque corporate structures, often registered in jurisdictions like the Marshall Islands or the UAE, which provide anonymity for ship owners. These vessels frequently change names and flags to avoid detection. Experts note that many ships now operate under false flags, complicating enforcement efforts. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has reported that over 300 ships are sailing under fraudulent registrations, with some countries, including Gambia and Benin, reporting illegal use of their flags.
In addition to evading sanctions, these ships engage in risky practices, such as ship-to-ship oil transfers at sea and disabling their transponders to conceal their locations. The Skipper itself was reported to have turned off its transponder for 83 days at the end of 2024, further complicating tracking efforts. The IMO estimates that the number of vessels engaging in such deceptive practices is likely higher than reported, with many lacking adequate insurance, posing significant risks in case of accidents.
As the U.S. Navy intensifies its operations in the Caribbean, Ukraine has also joined the fight against the phantom fleet, targeting Russian vessels that are believed to fund the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Reports indicate that Russia relies heavily on its phantom fleet for oil exports, which are crucial for financing its military operations. The Ukrainian government continues to push for international support to combat this illegal trade, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to disrupt the smuggling networks.
