A Russian-linked oil tanker seized by the United States in a dramatic high-seas operation has been spotted off the coast of Scotland, highlighting the persistent global challenge of the so-called 'shadow fleet' used to evade sanctions.
From Atlantic Chase to Scottish Waters
The vessel, the Marinera, was witnessed being escorted to an undisclosed location near Moray, accompanied by a US Coast Guard ship. This sighting comes just a week after the tanker was intercepted by the US military following a two-week chase through the North Atlantic, northwest of Scotland.
Previously known as the Bella-1, the Marinera flies a Russian flag and has been linked to transporting Venezuelan oil. Its capture and subsequent movement through UK waters underscore the complex, international effort to clamp down on illicit oil shipments financing regimes like those in Moscow and Tehran.
The Shadow Fleet's Hidden Routes
Shadow fleets operate by using deceptive practices, including flying fake flags or frequently changing a vessel's registration, to circumvent international sanctions. Maritime law requires ships to be registered to a specific country; failure to do so can render them stateless, complicating enforcement.
Data from tracking services like FleetLeaks reveals the extent of this clandestine network. Over 400 vessels are currently monitored for sanctions compliance. Key hotspots of activity include:
- European Waters: Multiple ships operate in the North Sea, Baltic Sea, and Norwegian Sea, often flying flags of convenience from nations like Oman and Sierra Leone.
- Southeast Asia: The Singapore Strait and South China Sea are major hubs, with around 44 shadow fleet vessels recorded.
- East Asia & The Pacific: Approximately 50 vessels operate near the coasts of China, Japan, and the Korean peninsula.
- The Mediterranean: Activity is also tracked along the coasts of Israel and Turkey.
UK Weighs Military Response
The British government is now actively considering more direct action. Reports suggest British special forces, likely the Special Boat Service (SBS), could be authorised to raid shadow fleet vessels to increase economic pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This follows the UK's support for the US operation to seize the Marinera. A defence source confirmed to The Times that options for seizing further vessels are under review, though no specific timeline for potential missions has been set.
Defence Secretary John Healey publicly justified the seizure of the Marinera, stating: “This ship, with a nefarious history, is part of a Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion which is fuelling terrorism, conflict and misery from the Middle East to Ukraine.”
A spokeswoman for the Department for Transport affirmed the government's priority is to "deter, disrupt and degrade the Russian shadow fleet", vowing to continue working with allies to tackle this harmful maritime activity.
The presence of the seized Marinera in Scottish waters serves as a stark, visible reminder of the shadowy trade flowing just offshore and the escalating international measures being deployed to stop it.
