British armed forces assisted in a joint operation with the US to intercept an oil tanker known as the ‘ghost fleet’ earlier today. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that assets including RAF surveillance and the RFA Tideforce support ship were part of the operation led by the US Coastguard.
A team from the US Coastguard boarded the tanker Marinera in a pre-dawn raid, with support from UK military elements, as stated by the Ministry of Defence. UK Defence Secretary John Healey commended the UK Armed Forces for their role in aiding the successful US interception of the vessel Bella 1 en route to Russia. This action was a part of global initiatives to combat sanctions violations.
The intercepted ship, Bella 1, associated with a history of sanctions evasion, forms part of a Russian-Iranian network contributing to terrorism and conflict. A recent video release showed armed US troops boarding an oil tanker, with US Homeland Security confirming the seizure of two vessels on the same day.
US officials have reported that the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera, previously known as Bella-1, is now under US custody following a daring nighttime operation. Additionally, a Russian submarine and other vessels were observed monitoring the tanker’s movements.
In a separate raid, another oil tanker named Sophia was boarded by a US Coast Guard tactical team in the Caribbean. Both vessels were either en route to or last docked in Venezuela. The US Department of Justice and Homeland Security announced the seizure of the M/V Bella 1 for violating US sanctions.
US Homeland Security praised the coordinated efforts that led to the successful boardings, acknowledging President Trump’s leadership and collaboration among different US government agencies. The captured Venezuelan-linked vessel, once known as Bella-1, was intercepted with UK military assistance between Iceland and Scotland. An emergency statement regarding the Marinera tanker seizure is expected in the Commons later today.