Russian flagged tanker gets spotted close to UK after US capturing
The tanker, Marinera, was intercepted on January 7 in international waters northwest of Scotland. US officials said the ship, previously operating under the name Bella 1, was linked to “violations of US sanctions” related to Venezuela, with British forces providing “support” during the operation.
Images published by reports showed the vessel moving through the Moray Firth, a large inlet north and east of Inverness, while being escorted by a US Coast Guard ship and British tugboats.
A British government representative said the tanker “entered UK waters to be replenished with essential supplies,” adding that it is expected to depart afterward. Reports noted that the ship’s final destination has not been disclosed.
Moscow has acknowledged that the vessel was seized. Russia’s Transport Ministry said the Marinera had been granted a temporary authorization to sail under the Russian flag on December 24, while accusing Washington of breaching the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which guarantees freedom of navigation in international waters.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said it had repeatedly informed US authorities through official channels that the tanker was operating under the Russian flag and strongly protested statements suggesting the crew could face prosecution in the United States.
The crew reportedly included Russian, Ukrainian, and Indian nationals. US authorities later agreed to release two Russian crew members following a request from the Kremlin.
According to reports, the tanker drew US attention in late December after attempting to approach Venezuela. When the ship’s captain declined a US Coast Guard request to board, the vessel altered course toward the Atlantic, prompting a pursuit that ultimately led to its capture.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
