Home / Crime and Justice / Dark Fleet Tanker Seized Off Guyana Coast
Dark Fleet Tanker Seized Off Guyana Coast
11 Dec
Summary
- US-sanctioned tanker seized for smuggling Venezuelan oil.
- Vessel reportedly part of the 'dark fleet', aiding illicit trade.
- Guyana denies tanker was registered or flying its flag.
A significant operation, led by the Coast Guard with Navy support, resulted in the seizure of a tanker suspected of illicit activities. The vessel, identified as the Skipper and operating within the "dark fleet," was believed to have been "spoofing" its location for an extended period. This fleet is known for smuggling sanctioned goods, and the Skipper was previously sanctioned by the U.S. for its alleged involvement in transferring Venezuelan oil exports.
The tanker, a very large crude carrier built 20 years ago, reportedly departed an oil port in Venezuela carrying approximately 1.8 million barrels of heavy crude. Before its seizure, an estimated 200,000 barrels were transferred to another vessel. The U.S. Treasury Department had sanctioned the Skipper in 2022 due to its alleged role in oil smuggling that generated revenue for Hezbollah and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force.
Marine tracking data indicated the vessel was sailing under the flag of Guyana shortly before the seizure. However, Guyana's Maritime Administration Department clarified that the Skipper was falsely flying their flag and is not registered in Guyana. This incident underscores the complex challenges in tracking and intercepting vessels engaged in sanctioned trade and smuggling operations.
