Seized Russian oil tanker Marinera heads to US after sanctions probe

A Russian-flagged oil tanker, the Marinera, is now heading to the United States after being held in Scottish waters. The vessel was seized in January 2023 on suspicion of breaching international sanctions by transporting oil tied to Russia, Venezuela, and Iran.

Meanwhile, Denmark recently detained an Iran-flagged container ship, the Nora, over doubts about its registration status.

The Marinera was intercepted in the North Atlantic on 7 January 2023. British forces, including the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, supported the operation, with US military aircraft using UK airfields. Once in the US, the tanker will face a judicial forfeiture process.

In February, Danish authorities inspected the Nora and found it was not registered in the Comoros, as claimed. Though no major safety issues were discovered, the ship remained detained until proper documentation was provided.

This year alone, at least 12 ships—including Russian shadow fleet vessels like the Zaliv Aniva and Pablo—have been seized or detained by Western nations. The US, UK, and EU have targeted vessels suspected of sanctions violations linked to Russia, Venezuela, or Iran. In one case, an oil tanker was released only after its owner paid a substantial fine.

Russia has condemned the Marinera's seizure and demanded fair treatment for its crew aboard the vessel.

The Marinera's transfer to US jurisdiction marks another step in ongoing enforcement against suspected sanctions evasion. Western authorities continue to monitor and intercept vessels tied to restricted oil trade networks. The case follows a pattern of detentions and fines imposed since early 2024.