A tanker ship is at the center of the heightened tensions that exist between the US and Russia. The ship, previously called Bella 1 but renamed Marinera, was seized by the US after a chase through the Atlantic Ocean that lasted for weeks. The seizure of the ship is noteworthy in that it is not merely enforcing a sanction but is part of the increasing tensions that exist regarding the shipment of energy resources.
What is Bella 1 / Marinera?
Bella 1 is an aging oil tanker long associated with shipments from Venezuela. It is an effort to evade the sanctions that the U.S. government had put on President Nicolas Maduro’s dictatorship, it became the center of attention. After several unsuccessful attempts, the ship’s owners repainted her with a Russian flag renamed it Marinera and registered it in Russia in a last ditch effort to avoid arrest. The empty ship remains a focus because it represents the networks used to transport oil illegally and break international restrictions. Rapid registration in Moscow easing the process without the usual control emphasizes the political value Russia places on this vessel.
Russia’s Respond with a Submarine & Naval Vessel
The Russian response was immediate and quite publicized. Russian naval forces including a submarine were reportedly dispatched to track and protect the tanker. The Russian public media reported that it was simply a matter of defending a civilian ship that faced inappropriate amounts of pressure.
There are no fiery declarations from the Kremlin, but the message is clear. Russia stands ready to extend its military reach from its territorial boundaries whenever its economic interests are threatened. In the context of the war in Ukraine, even a lone tanker ship can be significant.
Why the U.S. Seized the Russian‑Flagged Bella 1 / Marinera Tanker
The U.S. government has long been monitoring the activities of the Bella 1 or Marinera tanker vessel that operates in a clandestine fleet used for sanctions bypassing and unlawful oil shipments. The tanker vessel had earlier evaded an attempted seizure off the coast of Venezuela and had sailed further into the North Atlantic operating under Russia’s flag. The seizure of this Russia-flagged vessel appears to be an uncommon approach by the U.S. government to stem illicit shipments.
UK Military Allied with US to Complete Atlantic Mission, Says MoD
The mission was aided by the UK Ministry of Defence which had RAF planes observing the ship. According to the UK’s Defence Secretary, John Healey, “The interception is part of a campaign of disrupting sanctions busting activity led by Russia and Iran.” The UK’s military involvement was justified on the basis of protection of security and stability at home and around the world and of holding the shadow fleet to account.
