UK says it provided ‘support’ to US seizure of Russian tanker

London has confirmed its involvement in the US-led capture of a Russian-flagged vessel off Scotland

The UK provided “enabling support” to the US military in seizing the Russian-flagged tanker Marinera, the British Defence Ministry has said.

The oil tanker was interdicted on Wednesday in international waters to the northwest of Scotland. The Pentagon claimed the vessel, formerly known as ‘Bella 1’, had been involved in alleged “violations of US sanctions.”  

The UK assisted the US during the operation at Washington’s request, the Defence Ministry said in a statement. 

“Our UK Armed Forces showed skill and professionalism in support of a successful U.S. interception of the vessel Bella 1 while on its way to Russia. This action formed part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions busting,” it said.

Britain claimed the interdicted vessel has a “nefarious history” and allegedly acted as a “part of a Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion.” The US, meanwhile, said the seizure of the tanker was related to the “blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil.” 

Read more

Moscow has acknowledged the capture of the vessel. The country’s Transport Ministry stated that the Marinera had received a temporary permit to fly the national flag on December 24. The ministry accused the US of violating the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which ensures freedom of navigation in international waters.

The tanker made international headlines late last year when it was first targeted by the US military after allegedly approaching Venezuela. At the time, the ship’s crew refused to allow the US Coast Guard servicemen on board, heading to the Atlantic instead with US forces in pursuit. During the chase, the vessel changed its name and flag.

Shortly after the capture of the Marinera, the US said it seized another tanker in the Caribbean Sea, the ´Sophia´. The US military described the vessel as “a stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker.”  

“The interdicted vessel, M/T Sophia, was operating in international waters and conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea. The US Coast Guard is escorting M/T Sophia to the US for final disposition,” the US Southern Command has said.