Two oil tankers sanctioned by the United States are traveling east through the English Channel toward Russia, raising questions about potential further seizures of vessels linked to Moscow by U.S. and U.K. authorities.
Sanctioned Tankers Head to Russia
The Aria and the Tia, which has changed its name and country of registration multiple times, were both traveling south of Britain a day after the Marinera oil tanker was captured in the Atlantic by the U.S. with assistance from the U.K.
Defense Secretary John Healey told Members of Parliament on Wednesday that the seizure of the Marinera was justified due to its false flagging and its role in Russia’s shadow fleet, which he said ships oil illicitly “to bankroll its illegal invasion of Ukraine.”
The Marinera’s capture has led to expectations that the U.K., potentially with U.S. support, will target other Russian or Russia-linked tankers operating near the country that have already been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury.
The Ministry of Defence stated on Thursday it would not discuss any potential plans to seize vessels or provide updates on maritime traffic.
A spokesperson reiterated Healey’s comments from the previous night: “The defence secretary set out in parliament yesterday that deterring, disrupting and degrading the Russian shadow fleet is a priority for this government.”
The Tia, currently operating under the name Tiavan, is en route from Turkey to a port on Russia’s Gulf of Finland, with an expected arrival date of January 13. Previously named Tia, it was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2024 for transporting crude oil from Venezuela, after which its name was changed to Arcusat and then Tiavan.
The Aria, registered in Barbados, was observed sailing between Plymouth and Jersey on Thursday evening, heading towards the Ust-Luga commercial port in the eastern Baltic. It is listed as being under sanctions from the U.S. Treasury and is linked to Russia’s largest shipping company.
On Wednesday, U.S. forces seized the Marinera oil tanker, formerly the Bella 1, northwest of the British Isles in an operation supported by the Royal Navy and RAF, after tracking it for two and a half weeks from the Caribbean.
The tanker had been sailing towards Venezuela, and its crew initially refused a boarding request from the U.S. Coast Guard. It then fled north across the Atlantic, changing its name and adopting a Russian registration, which did not deter U.S. military forces.
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