Overview
- The tanker Marinera, seized under a U.S. federal warrant after a transatlantic pursuit, was escorted into the Moray Firth and anchored off Scotland for resupply under U.S. custody.
- UK authorities assisted the operation with reconnaissance and support assets, while U.S. special-operations aircraft tracked the vessel during its North Atlantic transit.
- U.S. forces also seized the stateless M/T Sophia in the Caribbean and took the MV Olina in a carrier-launched raid, actions SOUTHCOM said target illicit oil movements.
- British ministers say the Sanctions and Anti‑Money Laundering Act 2018 provides grounds to board stateless or falsely flagged tankers, with early planning pointing to potential SBS involvement.
- Moscow has protested the seizures as unlawful, with Russian officials denouncing the actions as piracy and reports indicating a submarine escort previously shadowed the Marinera.