Overview
- The tanker at the center of a U.S. pursuit now appears in the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping under the new name Marinera with Sochi listed as its port of registry.
- U.S. Coast Guard vessels have shadowed the ship since a Dec. 21 interdiction attempt, and officials suspended a planned boarding after crew painted a Russian flag on the hull.
- U.S. officials say the tanker was sailing under an invalid Guyana flag when the chase began and was effectively stateless, a status that would allow seizure under international law.
- A confirmed Russian flag state would raise legal and diplomatic risks, and Washington is seeking clarification through diplomatic channels before authorizing any takeover.
- The vessel is under U.S. sanctions for transporting Iranian oil, is owned by a Turkish company tied to the shadow fleet, has reportedly changed course toward higher latitudes, and has not broadcast its transponder since Dec. 17.