In a significant maritime operation, a Russian-linked oil tanker has been captured in the Atlantic by the United States with direct assistance from the United Kingdom. The move has immediately raised the stakes in the Western effort to disrupt Moscow's so-called 'shadow fleet' used to fund its war in Ukraine.
Marinera Seizure Sets a Precedent
The vessel, the Marinera oil tanker, was seized north-west of the British Isles on Wednesday afternoon following a pursuit lasting two and a half weeks from the Caribbean. US forces, supported by the British navy and air force, intercepted the tanker after it fled north up the Atlantic. The crew had earlier refused a US Coast Guard boarding request near Venezuela.
Defence Secretary John Healey told MPs the seizure was justified as the tanker was both falsely flagged and a key part of Russia's shadow fleet, which illicitly ships oil "to bankroll its illegal invasion of Ukraine". Healey revealed the vessel, previously named the Bella 1, had changed its flag five times in five years and adopted a Russian registration in a failed attempt to evade capture.
Two More Sanctioned Tankers Under Scrutiny
The dramatic seizure has now cast a spotlight on two other oil tankers currently sailing east through the English Channel towards Russia. The vessels, the Aria and the Tia, are both under active US sanctions, prompting speculation over whether London and Washington are prepared to take further action.
According to shipping data, the Tia—now sailing under the name Tiavan—is en route from Turkey to a Russian port on the Gulf of Finland, with an arrival date of 13 January. The US sanctioned it under the name Tia in 2024 for carrying crude oil from Venezuela, after which it was renamed Arcusat and finally Tiavan.
The Aria, registered under the flag of Barbados, was tracked near Plymouth and Jersey on Thursday evening, heading for the Ust-Luga port in the eastern Baltic. The US Treasury lists it as sanctioned and linked to Russia's largest shipping company.
Government Commitment and Strategic Silence
When questioned on Thursday about the presence of these sanctioned ships, the Ministry of Defence declined to comment on any specific plans for seizure, stating it would not give a "running commentary on live maritime traffic websites". However, a spokesperson reiterated the government's priority, echoing Healey's parliamentary comments: "Deterring, disrupting and degrading the Russian shadow fleet is a priority for this government."
This strategic ambiguity leaves open the possibility of further interdictions as part of a coordinated Western campaign. The seizure of the Marinera demonstrates a clear willingness to enforce sanctions at sea, setting a powerful precedent that other vessels in Russia's shadow fleet will now be acutely aware of.
