Tanker fleeing US pursuit changes flag, arrives in Russian port

A tanker that has been evading the US Coast Guard in the Atlantic Ocean for the past two weeks has changed its flag and is now officially registered in Russia. Formerly known as Bella 1, the vessel has been renamed Marinera and has arrived in the Russian port of Sochi, raising questions about the potential for Moscow to intervene.

The tanker, which has been sanctioned for transporting Iranian oil, began attempting to avoid US interception on December 15, shortly after setting course for Venezuela to load crude. As it neared the Lesser Antilles, the ship slowed dramatically, began moving backward, and eventually came to a complete stop on December 18, temporarily turning off its AIS (Automatic Identification System) signal—a move that heightened suspicions among US authorities, The Insider writes. 

Since then, Marinera has resumed movement, reportedly reaching the maximum speed for vessels of its class. Media reports indicate that the ship’s crew painted a Russian flag on the vessel, signaling alignment with Moscow and potentially placing the tanker under Russian protection in case of further attempts to seize it.

The US Coast Guard continues to monitor the tanker, and is reportedly prepared to conduct a forced inspection if necessary. This could involve deployment of the elite Maritime Special Response Team, which is trained to intercept and secure hostile vessels at sea.

According to sources cited by The New York Times, Russia has formally requested that the United States halt its pursuit of the tanker, which remains under close surveillance in the Atlantic. 

By Sabina Mammadli