Archive · 13 Jan 2026
US Seizes Russian-Flagged Oil Tanker
The US military recently captured a big oil tanker called Marinerra, which used to be named Bella 1.
This tanker was flying the Russian flag and was carrying oil from Venezuela.
There are 28 people from different countries stuck on the tanker, including three Indians.
One of the Indian crew members, Rikshit Chauhan, was supposed to return to India next month for his wedding, but now he is stuck on the tanker.
The US says the tanker is part of a group of ships that break the rules by carrying oil from countries like Russia, Iran, and Venezuela.
Meanwhile, two big Chinese ships that were going to Venezuela to get oil turned around and went back to Asia because of US sanctions.
The US made a deal to send some Venezuelan oil to the US and other places, but China, which is Venezuela's main buyer, has not received any oil from Venezuela since last month.
The oil that Venezuela sends to China is used to pay back debts.
The US and its allies want to stop the flow of oil from sanctioned countries, while Russia and Venezuela see these actions as unfair and interfering with their trade.
The US military seized the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinerra (formerly Bella 1) in the Caribbean Sea, which was carrying Venezuelan-linked crude oil and was on its way to Russia.
There are 28 crew members on the tanker, including 3 Indians, 17 Ukrainians, 6 Georgians, and 2 Russians, with one Indian crew member, Rikshit Chauhan, set to return to India for his wedding next month.
The US claims the tanker is part of a 'ghost fleet' of sanctioned vessels carrying oil from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela.
Two China-flagged supertankers bound for Venezuelan oil turned back amid US sanctions, indicating that Venezuela might not be directly exporting oil to China any time soon.
The US announced a deal to export up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil stuck in storage, with global trading houses Vitol and Trafigura readying the first cargoes to be sent to the US, India, and China.
- Who
- US military, Russian government, shadow fleet of oil tankers, 28 crew members including 3 Indians, Venezuelan government, Chinese refiners, global trading houses (Vitol, Trafigura)
- What
- Seizure of the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinerra (formerly Bella 1) carrying Venezuelan-linked crude oil, and the turning back of two China-flagged supertankers bound for Venezuelan oil due to US sanctions
- When
- Last week, with a focus on January 7, 2026
- Where
- Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Venezuela, China
- Why
- To evade US blockade on Venezuelan oil and avoid interception, and to manage Venezuela's debt repayment to China through oil cargoes
US and Allies
Russia and Venezuela
Sanctions and Seizures
US and Allies
The US and its allies enforce sanctions to prevent the flow of oil from sanctioned countries like Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, aiming to disrupt their economies and political influence.
Russia and Venezuela
Russia and Venezuela view these sanctions and seizures as illegal and coercive, arguing that they interfere with legitimate trade and economic activities.
Oil Trade and Debt Repayment
US and Allies
The US promotes alternative deals, such as the $2 billion agreement to export Venezuelan oil to the US and other destinations, to bypass the sanctions and provide oil to global markets.
Russia and Venezuela
Venezuela and China prefer direct oil trade to repay debts, as it ensures a steady flow of crude to China, Venezuela's main buyer, and helps manage Venezuela's financial obligations.
- Number of seized tankers
- 5
- Tanker seized by US
- Marinerra (formerly Bella 1)
- Number of crew members
- 28
- Indian crew members
- 3
- Ukrainian crew members
- 17
- Georgian crew members
- 6
- Russian crew members
- 2
- Number of reflagged tankers (Q4 2025)
- 25
- Number of reflagged tankers in December 2025
- 18
- Number of sanctioned reflagged tankers
- 16
- US sanction year for Bella 1
- 2024
- Venezuelan oil exports to China (2023)
- 642,000 bpd
- Total Venezuelan oil exports (2023)
- 847,000 bpd
- US-Venezuela oil deal
- $2 billion
- US-Venezuela oil deal barrels
- 50 million
Sources
Russian flags proliferate over shadow fleet of oil tankers
Himachal Merchant Navy Officer Detained From Russian Tanker A Month Before Wedding
Weeks Before His Wedding, Indian Merchant Navy Officer Detained By US On Russian-Flagged Oil Tanker
3 Indian Crew Members Released Days After US Seizes Russian-Flagged Oil Tanker In North Atlantic
Two China-flagged supertankers bound for Venezuela reverse course as US tightens crackdown: Report
Supertankers sailing to pick up Venezuelan oil for China make u-turn, ship data shows
Supertankers heading to Venezuela for China crude make U-turn amid US sanctions, shipping data reveals – Firstpost
