The Marinera was intercepted in the North Atlantic as a separate Coast Guard team boarded the M/T Sophia in international waters near the Caribbean.
NEW YORK — U.S. forces on Wednesday seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic after tracking it for two weeks, and captured a second Venezuela-linked tanker in a separate predawn operation near the Caribbean, according to officials and public statements.
The coordinated boardings mark a new step in Washington’s enforcement of sanctions on oil shipments connected to Venezuela and networks accused of using a so-called “shadow fleet.” The Russian-flagged ship, now called Marinera and formerly known as Bella-1, had eluded an attempted seizure in December before reappearing at sea with a new flag and name. European Command confirmed the North Atlantic seizure as Homeland Security officials released video of the second boarding, underscoring a broad push to tighten maritime pressure and signaling possible diplomatic fallout with Moscow and allied shipping interests.
Officials said the Marinera was transiting the North Atlantic when Coast Guard personnel, backed by other U.S. military assets, carried out the boarding under a federal warrant. The ship had switched to a Russian registry on Dec. 31 and displayed a painted Russian flag on its hull. Open-source tracking showed the vessel broadcasting its position again near waters between Iceland and the United Kingdom. In a separate message, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said two “ghost fleet” tankers were boarded before dawn—one in the North Atlantic and one in international waters near the Caribbean. “Both vessels — the Motor Tanker Bella 1 and the Motor Tanker Sophia — were either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it,” Noem said in a statement posted online.
Russia’s Transport Ministry condemned the North Atlantic boarding, asserting that force cannot be used against vessels lawfully registered to another state in international waters. The United Kingdom said it supported the U.S. operation. U.S. European Command posted that the Marinera, previously the M/V Bella 1, had been seized, while images released by U.S. officials showed the M/T Sophia being apprehended near the Caribbean. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote that a blockade on sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil “remains in full effect — anywhere in the world.” The Coast Guard had attempted to seize the Marinera on Dec. 20 when it was reportedly empty and heading toward Venezuela, but the vessel turned away and later reflagged.
The episode fits a wider timeline of stepped-up maritime enforcement. In December, President Donald Trump announced a blockade targeting sanctioned tankers moving in and out of Venezuela. The Marinera was later listed under a Russian registry and resumed transmitting its location after weeks of evasive behavior attributed by officials to tactics common among “dark fleet” ships, such as false flagging and sporadic transponder use. The Bella-1 previously flew a false Panamanian flag and has been suspected of shifting identities to avoid detection, according to officials familiar with the operation and public maritime records.
Authorities did not immediately detail the legal filings supporting the seizures, the specific cargo status of either ship at the moment of boarding, or where the vessels would be escorted for inspection and custody. Officials said the Coast Guard led both boardings with support from U.S. military components. Any charges, forfeiture actions or sanctions designations would move next through federal court and Treasury processes. European Command’s confirmation indicates the North Atlantic ship is under U.S. control; Homeland Security’s video shows the Sophia stopped and secured. Further briefings were expected later Wednesday.
On shore, the developments drew quick reactions. Russian authorities denounced the boarding as unlawful and demanded that the crew be treated humanely. U.S. officials framed the operations as routine enforcement at sea. “Only legitimate and lawful energy commerce — as determined by the United States — will be permitted,” Hegseth said. A senior American official familiar with the North Atlantic mission said the Coast Guard’s weeks-long tracking effort involved multiple aircraft and ships and ended without injuries. Mariners in the region reported increased patrol activity overnight and at dawn as the detentions unfolded.
As of Wednesday afternoon, both tankers were in U.S. custody at sea while officials coordinated next steps for transfer to ports and legal processing. The Coast Guard said additional updates would follow after the ships reach designated anchorage and initial safety inspections are complete.
Author note: Last updated January 7, 2026.