The U.S. seized the Russian-flagged Marinera oil tanker — formerly known as the Bella-1 — which has been linked to Venezuela and was transiting the North Atlantic, according to three sources familiar with the operation. And it also seized another tanker in the Caribbean, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The operation for the Marinera was being carried out by the U.S. Coast Guard and other military assets, according to one source. Russian military vessels were in the area as the situation unfolded.
Video released by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shows the Motor Tanker Sophia being apprehended in international waters near the Caribbean, Jan. 7, 2026.
@Sec_Noem/X
In a post on X, U.S. European Command confirmed the seizure of the tanker in the North Atlantic.
“In two predawn operations today, the Coast Guard conducted back-to-back meticulously coordinated boarding of two ‘ghost fleet’ tanker ships — one in the North Atlantic Sea and one in international waters near the Caribbean,” Noem said in a post on X. “Both vessels — the Motor Tanker Bella 1 and the Motor [Tanker] Sophia — were either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it.”
Video released by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shows the Motor Tanker Sophia being apprehended in international waters near the Caribbean, Jan. 7, 2026.
@Sec_Noem/X
The U.S. Coast Guard has been tracking the Marinera tanker for the last two weeks after attempting to seize it on Dec. 20 when the empty ship was in the Caribbean and apparently headed to Venezuela.
On Dec. 31 the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping listed the ship — with the new name of Marinera — as a Russian vessel. The ship’s crew also painted a Russian flag on the ship’s side.
U.S. European Command has confirmed in a post on X, the seizure of the oil tanker Marinera, formally known as the M/V Bella 1 in the North Atlantic, Jan. 7, 2026.
U.S. European Command/X
The Bella-1 previously flew a false Panamanian flag and is suspected to be part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” which Moscow is accused of using to evade international sanctions.
The ship recently activated its transponder, allowing open-source maritime tracking websites to locate the ship as being in the North Atlantic Ocean close to Iceland and the United Kingdom.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said it was “monitoring with concern” the situation around the ship.
“At present, our vessel is sailing in the international waters of the North Atlantic under the state flag of the Russian Federation and in full compliance with the norms of international maritime law,” the ministry said.
The vessel tanker Bella 1 at Singapore Strait, after U.S. officials say the U.S. Coast Guard pursued an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, in this picture taken from social media on March 18, 2025.
Hakon Rimmereid via Reuters
“For reasons unclear to us, the Russian ship is being given increased and clearly disproportionate attention by the U.S. and NATO military, despite its peaceful status,” it said.
The vessel was put under U.S. sanctions in 2024 for carrying Hezbollah-owned cargo and for providing a form of support to the Iranian regime.