Since December 21st, the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies have been pursuing the large tanker Bella 1, which is linked to the clandestine export of oil from Venezuela. A U.S. court order for its seizure has been issued. What has happened, and why has boarding the vessel proven difficult?
The Bella 1’s last known location places it in international waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, heading northeast after being intercepted near the Venezuelan coast.
When the Coast Guard first approached the Bella 1 on December 21st, the intention was to stop and seize the vessel under a U.S. court order. The ship is suspected of evading sanctions by using illicit routes to transport crude oil from Iran, Russia, and Venezuela. The initial operation took place in international waters near Venezuela, as the Bella 1 approached the country empty, reportedly intending to load Venezuelan oil.
However, the crew of the Bella 1 refused boarding and, upon receiving orders to stop, continued at full speed. According to maritime tracking reports and sources at the Wall Street Journal, the ship executed a 180-degree turn and quickly moved away from the coast and U.S. vessels. It has been pursued in open waters ever since.
The Bella 1 is part of what is called a “phantom fleet” that transports sanctioned crude oil. This network of ships operates with transponders switched off, frequent changes of flag, and opaque corporate structures, all designed to evade international controls and sanctions. The U.S. considers it a key link in the scheme allowing Venezuela to continue exporting oil despite tightening sanctions.
When the U.S. sanctioned the Bella 1, it accused the vessel of transporting Iranian oil on the black market on behalf of terrorist organizations designated by Washington and aligned with Tehran: the Lebanese movement Hezbollah and the Yemeni Houthis.
Why is boarding the Bella 1 difficult?
The operation against the Bella 1 faces logistical limitations. Not all vessels deployed by the U.S. are equipped for forced boardings in open water, particularly against a ship of this size with a crew unwilling to cooperate.
To address this, the U.S. has reinforced the operation, mobilizing additional resources, including a Maritime Special Response Team and an elite force trained for high-risk sea boardings, including descent from helicopters or rapid tactical boarding techniques, according to the Wall Street Journal.
U.S. officials told the Journal they have located the Bella 1 but are not rushing an operation, as they gather the necessary units for the mission. Once fully deployed, the U.S. asserts its right to use force to board the Bella 1, beginning with warnings that may include shots fired.
The reason the Bella 1 refuses to comply with Coast Guard orders remains unknown. Its owner, Louis Marine Shipholding Enterprises, based in Turkey, did not respond to attempts to contact them, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Prior to approaching Venezuela, in early September, the Bella 1 loaded crude oil in Iran and then switched off its transponder near the Strait of Hormuz. It remained inactive for two months, and upon reactivating the device near the same location, it no longer carried the cargo, suggesting a transfer to other ships.
The Bella 1 subsequently crossed the Strait of Gibraltar into the Atlantic, initially setting a course for Curaçao, but altered its route on December 15th after the U.S. seized its first vessel following the total oil embargo order issued by Donald Trump.
Since December 10th, the U.S. has seized two Venezuelan oil tankers without resistance, aiming to impact the primary source of income for the Nicolás Maduro regime. The first was the Skipper, intercepted and captured in international waters off Venezuela. The Coast Guard, with support from special units and aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, boarded the ship, which had departed a Venezuelan port carrying approximately 1.8 million barrels of crude oil. Washington labeled the Skipper as part of Venezuela’s “phantom fleet.”
Ten days later, on December 20th, U.S. authorities executed a similar operation against another supertanker, the Centuries, also in the Caribbean Sea off the Venezuelan coast. The Coast Guard boarded the ship while it was carrying 1.8 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil destined for Asia, using helicopters to deploy tactical teams onto the deck.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bella 1 accused of doing?
The Bella 1 is accused of evading sanctions by transporting crude oil from Iran, Russia, and Venezuela using illicit routes.
Why hasn’t the U.S. Coast Guard been able to board the Bella 1?
The crew of the Bella 1 has refused to allow boarding and continued to flee when ordered to stop, and the U.S. is taking time to assemble the necessary resources for a potentially forceful boarding.
What has the U.S. already done to intercept oil tankers linked to Venezuela?
Since December 10th, the U.S. has seized two other Venezuelan oil tankers, the Skipper and the Centuries, without resistance.
As the U.S. continues to pursue the Bella 1, what strategies might they employ to overcome the logistical challenges and ultimately enforce the court order for its seizure?