From Iran to China to Venezuela - how tanker seized by US hid true location

December 11, 2025

US forces seized an oil tanker called the Skipper near Venezuela's coast on Wednesday, a vessel with a documented history of concealing its movements to evade international sanctions. Analysis of ship tracking data revealed the tanker regularly falsified its location through a practice called "spoofing" and engaged in ship-to-ship transfers to hide oil smuggling activities involving Venezuelan and Iranian crude. The vessel is believed to be part of a "dark fleet" of tankers that obscure their ownership and travel histories to circumvent US sanctions imposed on Venezuela and Iran.

Who is affected

The crew and operators of the Skipper oil tanker
Thomarose Global Ventures Ltd (Nigeria-based beneficial owner and operator)
Triton Navigation Corp (Marshall Islands-based registered owner)
Viktor Artemov (sanctioned Russian oil magnate allegedly using Triton for oil smuggling)
Venezuela and Iran (countries subject to US oil sanctions)
The government of Guyana (whose flag was falsely used)
China (destination for falsely declared oil cargo)

What action is being taken

US forces conducted a helicopter-launched raid and seized the vessel near Venezuela's coast on Wednesday evening. BBC Verify is attempting to contact Thomarose Global Ventures Ltd and Triton Navigation Corp for comment.

Why it matters

This case illustrates the sophisticated methods used by the "dark fleet" to evade international oil sanctions, undermining US efforts to economically pressure Venezuela and Iran. The seizure demonstrates the challenges in enforcing sanctions when vessels can falsify tracking data, use shell companies to obscure ownership, and conduct ship-to-ship transfers in international waters. Venezuela's oil exports, despite having some of the world's largest reserves, remain heavily dependent on sanction-evading networks involving allies like Iran and Russia, which has significant implications for international law enforcement and global energy markets.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC