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Satellite imagery and ship tracking data has verified that the crude carrier Skipper – the initial vessel apprehended by the US for reportedly carrying sanctioned crude from the Venezuelan regime – is currently positioned near of the state of Texas.

A satellite firm's orbital photographs dated 21 December indicates the tanker is near Galveston, while Automatic Identification System vessel-tracking data from a maritime data service currently positions the Skipper about 80km offshore.

The tanker Skipper was taken into custody by American officials on the tenth of December and has been sanctioned by multiple nations. When it was intercepted, it was falsely sailing under the ensign of Guyana.

This interception was followed by the interception of a second oil vessel, the Centuries. This ship – in contrast to the Skipper – was not yet under official restrictions when it was brought under American control.

American agencies are currently targeting a third ship, which has been identified by the maritime risk group a risk firm as the Bella 1. President Donald Trump said recently that “it will ultimately be secured”.

Writing on X, the maritime monitoring group noted the vessel Bella 1 has been “in transit for over a month” and, at an typical pace of 11 knots, may have “approximately a month of diesel remaining unless her velocity drops”.

The monitoring service added the tanker is “likely traveling south-east towards the South African coast”.