Russian Flag Now Painted on Formerly US-Pursued Oil Tanker

In a notable turn of events, the aging oil tanker Bella 1 has recently displayed a painted image of a Russian flag on its hull. This action is perceived by U.S. officials as an attempt to invoke Russian protection amid ongoing U.S. pursuit of the vessel. For nearly two weeks, the American Coast Guard has been monitoring the tanker from a distance in the Atlantic Ocean.

Background of the Bella 1

The Bella 1 has been evading capture since December 21. On that date, the tanker made a U-turn in the Caribbean while en route to Venezuela. The Coast Guard had attempted to intercept the vessel, which is under U.S. sanctions for allegedly transporting Iranian oil.

Current Situation

As of now, the current flag of the Bella 1 is listed as “not known” in the shipping database Equasis. Initially, U.S. officials noted that the tanker was flying under the Guyana flag, which they deemed invalid. The recent addition of the Russian flag complicates the legal status of the ship, making any potential seizure more challenging.

Implications of the Russian Flag

• The painted flag signifies crew members’ efforts to align with Russian protection.
• This move could potentially alter the U.S. strategy regarding the pursuit of the vessel.
• Officials suspect that the crew’s choice to resist capture differs from the recent compliance seen with other tankers.

U.S. Strategy Against Venezuelan Oil

The U.S. government, under the Trump administration, has been actively implementing a strategy to undermine Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by targeting the oil sector. On Wednesday, the Treasury Department sanctioned four oil companies and designated four additional tankers as “blocked property.” Among these, two were flying flags from Hong Kong, while the others were from Guinea and Panama.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent assured that the pressure campaign on Maduro’s regime would continue. This announcement adds to the ongoing sanctions against six vessels identified on December 11 for assisting in moving Venezuelan oil.

Next Steps

U.S. officials are preparing for possible further action against the Bella 1. If an order to seize the tanker is given, it would require a specialized Maritime Special Response Team to board and take control of the ship. However, it remains unclear why the Bella 1’s crew opted for evasion instead of compliance.

As developments evolve, the international community watches closely, especially in light of the complexities introduced by the painted Russian flag on the Bella 1.