Our summary of tankers seized by US Law Enforcement:
- 2025-12-10: US-sanctioned SKIPPER (9304667) - VLCC supertanker laden with 1.85 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil.
#OOTT #Venezuela #Iran #Tankers
- 2025-12-10: US-sanctioned SKIPPER (9304667) - VLCC supertanker laden with 1.85 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil.
#OOTT #Venezuela #Iran #Tankers
January 7, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Our summary of tankers seized by US Law Enforcement:
- 2025-12-10: US-sanctioned SKIPPER (9304667) - VLCC supertanker laden with 1.85 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil.
#OOTT #Venezuela #Iran #Tankers
- 2025-12-10: US-sanctioned SKIPPER (9304667) - VLCC supertanker laden with 1.85 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil.
#OOTT #Venezuela #Iran #Tankers
- 2026-01-07: US-sanctioned M SOPHIA (9289477) - VLCC supertanker laden with 1.8 million barrles of Venezuela crude oil. Had exfiltrated the blockade along with 15 other tankers right after Maduro's arrest. Her zombie identity is "VARADA BLESSING".
January 7, 2026 at 3:06 PM
- 2026-01-07: US-sanctioned M SOPHIA (9289477) - VLCC supertanker laden with 1.8 million barrles of Venezuela crude oil. Had exfiltrated the blockade along with 15 other tankers right after Maduro's arrest. Her zombie identity is "VARADA BLESSING".
The blacklisted VLCC supertanker MARINERA (9230880), formerly known as BELLA 1, continues to proceed northeast. Technically, she could enter the Baltic Sea given she's empty but the alternative is Russia's Arctic region.-TankerTrackers
January 6, 2026 at 4:21 PM
The blacklisted VLCC supertanker MARINERA (9230880), formerly known as BELLA 1, continues to proceed northeast. Technically, she could enter the Baltic Sea given she's empty but the alternative is Russia's Arctic region.-TankerTrackers
The blacklisted VLCC supertanker MARINERA (9230880), formerly known as BELLA 1, continues to proceed northeast. Technically, she could enter the Baltic Sea given she's empty but the alternative is Russia's Arctic region.
The crew most likely didn't pack warm for such a detour.
The crew most likely didn't pack warm for such a detour.
January 6, 2026 at 3:19 PM
The blacklisted VLCC supertanker MARINERA (9230880), formerly known as BELLA 1, continues to proceed northeast. Technically, she could enter the Baltic Sea given she's empty but the alternative is Russia's Arctic region.
The crew most likely didn't pack warm for such a detour.
The crew most likely didn't pack warm for such a detour.
- 2025-12-20: CENTURIES (9206310) - VLCC supertanker (not under any sanctions) laden with 1.83 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil.
- 2026-01-07: US-sanctioned MARINERA (9230880, fka BELLA 1) - VLCC supertanker not carrying any oil.
- 2026-01-07: US-sanctioned MARINERA (9230880, fka BELLA 1) - VLCC supertanker not carrying any oil.
January 7, 2026 at 3:06 PM
- 2025-12-20: CENTURIES (9206310) - VLCC supertanker (not under any sanctions) laden with 1.83 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil.
- 2026-01-07: US-sanctioned MARINERA (9230880, fka BELLA 1) - VLCC supertanker not carrying any oil.
- 2026-01-07: US-sanctioned MARINERA (9230880, fka BELLA 1) - VLCC supertanker not carrying any oil.
Chinese-flagged VLCC en route to Venezuela despite US blockade
▶️Chinese-flagged VLCC Thousand Sunny will arrive near Venezuela in mid-January on its present course
www.lloydslist.com/articles/202...
▶️Chinese-flagged VLCC Thousand Sunny will arrive near Venezuela in mid-January on its present course
www.lloydslist.com/articles/202...
Chinese-flagged VLCC en route to Venezuela despite US blockade
The real geopolitical test for America’s blockade of Venezuela would come from Chinese-flagged tankers. What would happen if an unsanctioned Chinese-flagged VLCC loaded Venezuelan crude?
www.lloydslist.com
December 30, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Chinese-flagged VLCC en route to Venezuela despite US blockade
▶️Chinese-flagged VLCC Thousand Sunny will arrive near Venezuela in mid-January on its present course
www.lloydslist.com/articles/202...
▶️Chinese-flagged VLCC Thousand Sunny will arrive near Venezuela in mid-January on its present course
www.lloydslist.com/articles/202...
#Supertanker #VLCC #VeryLargeCrudeCarrier #Njord IMO 9241102 #IMO9241102 towed to safety by #SalvageWorker IMO 9250024 #IMO9250024 after engine breakdown in #SouthChinaSea
#TradeWindsNews
@seanews.bsky.social
www.tradewindsnews.com/casualties/s...
www.tradewindsnews.com/tankers/chin...
#TradeWindsNews
@seanews.bsky.social
www.tradewindsnews.com/casualties/s...
www.tradewindsnews.com/tankers/chin...
Salvors avert VLCC grounding after South China Sea engine failure
Early intervention prevented spill risk from fully laden supertanker
www.tradewindsnews.com
December 29, 2025 at 7:34 AM
#Supertanker #VLCC #VeryLargeCrudeCarrier #Njord IMO 9241102 #IMO9241102 towed to safety by #SalvageWorker IMO 9250024 #IMO9250024 after engine breakdown in #SouthChinaSea
#TradeWindsNews
@seanews.bsky.social
www.tradewindsnews.com/casualties/s...
www.tradewindsnews.com/tankers/chin...
#TradeWindsNews
@seanews.bsky.social
www.tradewindsnews.com/casualties/s...
www.tradewindsnews.com/tankers/chin...
VLCC rates fall like ‘lead balloon’ in steepest one-day plunge in over half-decade
▶️Baltic Exchange’s TD3C index nosedives 20% or $22,357 per day on Monday vs Friday, the largest single-day nominal decline since May 1, 2020
www.lloydslist.com/articles/202...
▶️Baltic Exchange’s TD3C index nosedives 20% or $22,357 per day on Monday vs Friday, the largest single-day nominal decline since May 1, 2020
www.lloydslist.com/articles/202...
VLCC rates fall like ‘lead balloon’ in steepest one-day plunge in over half-decade
Crude tanker markets in general remain historically strong. That said, VLCC spot rates, specifically rates from the Middle East Gulf to China, suffered a particularly severe drop on Monday
www.lloydslist.com
December 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM
VLCC rates fall like ‘lead balloon’ in steepest one-day plunge in over half-decade
▶️Baltic Exchange’s TD3C index nosedives 20% or $22,357 per day on Monday vs Friday, the largest single-day nominal decline since May 1, 2020
www.lloydslist.com/articles/202...
▶️Baltic Exchange’s TD3C index nosedives 20% or $22,357 per day on Monday vs Friday, the largest single-day nominal decline since May 1, 2020
www.lloydslist.com/articles/202...
🇻🇪🇺🇸 Supertanquero cargado regresa a aguas venezolanas en medio de intercepciones estadounidenses, según Reuters.
El muy gran portador de crudo (VLCC) con bandera de Panamá Kelly, que había partido de Venezuela cargando petróleo la semana pasada, ha regresado a aguas venezolanas
El muy gran portador de crudo (VLCC) con bandera de Panamá Kelly, que había partido de Venezuela cargando petróleo la semana pasada, ha regresado a aguas venezolanas
December 24, 2025 at 1:07 AM
🇻🇪🇺🇸 Supertanquero cargado regresa a aguas venezolanas en medio de intercepciones estadounidenses, según Reuters.
El muy gran portador de crudo (VLCC) con bandera de Panamá Kelly, que había partido de Venezuela cargando petróleo la semana pasada, ha regresado a aguas venezolanas
El muy gran portador de crudo (VLCC) con bandera de Panamá Kelly, que había partido de Venezuela cargando petróleo la semana pasada, ha regresado a aguas venezolanas
UPDATE: The VLCC has now made a u-turn.
1/2)
Thirty-eight hours ago, we notified clients of an empty VLCC supertanker approaching Venezuela. We we able to visually identify her while in transit. She is under US OFAC sanctions due to her transfers of Iranian oil. The vessel crossed
Thirty-eight hours ago, we notified clients of an empty VLCC supertanker approaching Venezuela. We we able to visually identify her while in transit. She is under US OFAC sanctions due to her transfers of Iranian oil. The vessel crossed
December 23, 2025 at 12:28 AM
UPDATE: The VLCC has now made a u-turn.
1/2)
Thirty-eight hours ago, we notified clients of an empty VLCC supertanker approaching Venezuela. We we able to visually identify her while in transit. She is under US OFAC sanctions due to her transfers of Iranian oil. The vessel crossed
Thirty-eight hours ago, we notified clients of an empty VLCC supertanker approaching Venezuela. We we able to visually identify her while in transit. She is under US OFAC sanctions due to her transfers of Iranian oil. The vessel crossed
December 22, 2025 at 1:50 AM
1/2)
Thirty-eight hours ago, we notified clients of an empty VLCC supertanker approaching Venezuela. We we able to visually identify her while in transit. She is under US OFAC sanctions due to her transfers of Iranian oil. The vessel crossed
Thirty-eight hours ago, we notified clients of an empty VLCC supertanker approaching Venezuela. We we able to visually identify her while in transit. She is under US OFAC sanctions due to her transfers of Iranian oil. The vessel crossed
The tug I believe is the Alaska Mariner. This is RIGHT by where the Queen of the North hit Gil Island and sank. YES, this is where they want to run VLCC/ULCC tankers of oil.
December 21, 2025 at 2:40 AM
The tug I believe is the Alaska Mariner. This is RIGHT by where the Queen of the North hit Gil Island and sank. YES, this is where they want to run VLCC/ULCC tankers of oil.
Venezuela approved the departure of two VLCC oil tankers bound for China, sources familiar with export operations said. -Reuters
December 18, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Venezuela approved the departure of two VLCC oil tankers bound for China, sources familiar with export operations said. -Reuters
Venezuela’s crude oil exports remain fairly unchanged following US asset seizure of VLCC supertanker SKIPPER (9304667) due to plentiful availability of non-sanctioned Dark Fleet tankers.-TankerTrackers on X
December 19, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Venezuela’s crude oil exports remain fairly unchanged following US asset seizure of VLCC supertanker SKIPPER (9304667) due to plentiful availability of non-sanctioned Dark Fleet tankers.-TankerTrackers on X
BREAKING: We have visual confirmation of a VLCC supertanker laden with at least 1.8 million barrels of crude oil departing #Venezuela today. Accompanied by possible VE Navy escort. The VLCC is not blacklisted by US OFAC even though she has violated VE sanctions since 2020. #OOTT
December 18, 2025 at 9:19 PM
BREAKING: We have visual confirmation of a VLCC supertanker laden with at least 1.8 million barrels of crude oil departing #Venezuela today. Accompanied by possible VE Navy escort. The VLCC is not blacklisted by US OFAC even though she has violated VE sanctions since 2020. #OOTT
BREAKING: A Chinese VLCC tanker, carrying 1.8 million barrels of Venezuela's highest-grade Merey 16 crude, has departed from Jose Terminal, Venezuela, towards China.
The shadow vessel is receiving an escort by the Venezuelan navy.
Via t.me/rnintel (Telegram)
The shadow vessel is receiving an escort by the Venezuelan navy.
Via t.me/rnintel (Telegram)
December 18, 2025 at 11:20 PM
BREAKING: A Chinese VLCC tanker, carrying 1.8 million barrels of Venezuela's highest-grade Merey 16 crude, has departed from Jose Terminal, Venezuela, towards China.
The shadow vessel is receiving an escort by the Venezuelan navy.
Via t.me/rnintel (Telegram)
The shadow vessel is receiving an escort by the Venezuelan navy.
Via t.me/rnintel (Telegram)
4/4)
- VLCC/ULCC: 7 (6 of which are laden with oil)
- Suezmax: 2 (1 of which is laden with oil)
- Aframax: 17 (8 of which are laden with oil)
So, in short: 26 OFAC-blacklisted tankers are suitable export candidates, 15 of which are laden with oil.
#OOTT #Tankers #Venezuela #Blockade
- VLCC/ULCC: 7 (6 of which are laden with oil)
- Suezmax: 2 (1 of which is laden with oil)
- Aframax: 17 (8 of which are laden with oil)
So, in short: 26 OFAC-blacklisted tankers are suitable export candidates, 15 of which are laden with oil.
#OOTT #Tankers #Venezuela #Blockade
December 17, 2025 at 6:39 PM
4/4)
- VLCC/ULCC: 7 (6 of which are laden with oil)
- Suezmax: 2 (1 of which is laden with oil)
- Aframax: 17 (8 of which are laden with oil)
So, in short: 26 OFAC-blacklisted tankers are suitable export candidates, 15 of which are laden with oil.
#OOTT #Tankers #Venezuela #Blockade
- VLCC/ULCC: 7 (6 of which are laden with oil)
- Suezmax: 2 (1 of which is laden with oil)
- Aframax: 17 (8 of which are laden with oil)
So, in short: 26 OFAC-blacklisted tankers are suitable export candidates, 15 of which are laden with oil.
#OOTT #Tankers #Venezuela #Blockade
CONFIRMED: Several sanctions-violating VLCC supertankers that aren't on any official sanctions lists are making u-turns in the Indian and Atlantic oceans instead of proceeding to #Venezuela. #OOTT #Tankers
December 15, 2025 at 10:17 AM
CONFIRMED: Several sanctions-violating VLCC supertankers that aren't on any official sanctions lists are making u-turns in the Indian and Atlantic oceans instead of proceeding to #Venezuela. #OOTT #Tankers
A UK-insured VLCC supertanker known for violating sanctions is currently loading 1.8 million barrels of crude oil in Venezuela. The vessel is still not on any blacklists but has been conducting business there for over three years now.
This is a potential plan B for Venezuela.
This is a potential plan B for Venezuela.
December 14, 2025 at 4:02 PM
A UK-insured VLCC supertanker known for violating sanctions is currently loading 1.8 million barrels of crude oil in Venezuela. The vessel is still not on any blacklists but has been conducting business there for over three years now.
This is a potential plan B for Venezuela.
This is a potential plan B for Venezuela.
Iran Dark Fleet Stats:
A total of 608 active tankers.
Size class breakdown:
- VLCC/ULCC: 181 (and one died the other day in India)
- Suezmax: 58
- Aframax: 107
- Panamax: 33
- Handies: 229
#OOTT #Tankers #IranSanctions
A total of 608 active tankers.
Size class breakdown:
- VLCC/ULCC: 181 (and one died the other day in India)
- Suezmax: 58
- Aframax: 107
- Panamax: 33
- Handies: 229
#OOTT #Tankers #IranSanctions
December 12, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Iran Dark Fleet Stats:
A total of 608 active tankers.
Size class breakdown:
- VLCC/ULCC: 181 (and one died the other day in India)
- Suezmax: 58
- Aframax: 107
- Panamax: 33
- Handies: 229
#OOTT #Tankers #IranSanctions
A total of 608 active tankers.
Size class breakdown:
- VLCC/ULCC: 181 (and one died the other day in India)
- Suezmax: 58
- Aframax: 107
- Panamax: 33
- Handies: 229
#OOTT #Tankers #IranSanctions
MT Skipper, with US military and Coast Guard personnel on board is heading for the port of Houston.
The ship, a VLCC, is too large to enter port, so she will have to anchor and offload her cargo to smaller ships.
The ship, a VLCC, is too large to enter port, so she will have to anchor and offload her cargo to smaller ships.
December 12, 2025 at 12:45 PM
MT Skipper, with US military and Coast Guard personnel on board is heading for the port of Houston.
The ship, a VLCC, is too large to enter port, so she will have to anchor and offload her cargo to smaller ships.
The ship, a VLCC, is too large to enter port, so she will have to anchor and offload her cargo to smaller ships.
Some Dark Fleet stats regarding the Venezuelan oil trade which we'll summarize here for the press as our mailbox resembles a trainwreck right now:
Total: 397 active tankers
Size class breakdown:
- VLCC/ULCC: 143
- Suezmax: 73
- Aframax: 111
- Panamax: 23
- Handies: 47
#Tankers #OOTT #Venezuela
Total: 397 active tankers
Size class breakdown:
- VLCC/ULCC: 143
- Suezmax: 73
- Aframax: 111
- Panamax: 23
- Handies: 47
#Tankers #OOTT #Venezuela
December 11, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Some Dark Fleet stats regarding the Venezuelan oil trade which we'll summarize here for the press as our mailbox resembles a trainwreck right now:
Total: 397 active tankers
Size class breakdown:
- VLCC/ULCC: 143
- Suezmax: 73
- Aframax: 111
- Panamax: 23
- Handies: 47
#Tankers #OOTT #Venezuela
Total: 397 active tankers
Size class breakdown:
- VLCC/ULCC: 143
- Suezmax: 73
- Aframax: 111
- Panamax: 23
- Handies: 47
#Tankers #OOTT #Venezuela
A full oil tanker is worth between roughly $38.5 million (LR1) and $210 million+ (ULCC/VLCC) based on a $70/barrel oil price, with values fluctuating significantly with crude prices and tanker size. A typical VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier, ~2 million barrels) holds about $140 million worth of oil.
The murders in the Caribbean were never about the drug trade. Trump’s oil theft makes that clear.
December 11, 2025 at 12:25 AM
A full oil tanker is worth between roughly $38.5 million (LR1) and $210 million+ (ULCC/VLCC) based on a $70/barrel oil price, with values fluctuating significantly with crude prices and tanker size. A typical VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier, ~2 million barrels) holds about $140 million worth of oil.
2 million barrels of oil at $62.44/barrel = $124.88 million. That doesn’t include the cost of the seized VLCC tanker itself
December 11, 2025 at 3:30 AM
2 million barrels of oil at $62.44/barrel = $124.88 million. That doesn’t include the cost of the seized VLCC tanker itself
The ship handling characteristics of a VLCC tanker are NOT conducive to the narrow channels to navigate to Kitimat. It would require at least two tethered escort tugs with over 7000HP. There are lower requirements in ports further south, due to wind/wave conditions being less extreme
November 22, 2025 at 1:34 PM
The ship handling characteristics of a VLCC tanker are NOT conducive to the narrow channels to navigate to Kitimat. It would require at least two tethered escort tugs with over 7000HP. There are lower requirements in ports further south, due to wind/wave conditions being less extreme