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Satellite imagery and vessel monitoring data has confirmed that the crude carrier Skipper – the initial vessel apprehended by the US for reportedly carrying embargoed crude from the Venezuelan regime – is now positioned near of the state of Texas.

A satellite firm's satellite imagery from 21 December shows the tanker is in the vicinity of the port of Galveston, while Automatic Identification System vessel-tracking feeds from a maritime data service presently positions the vessel about 80km from the coast.

The Skipper was taken into custody by American officials on 10 December and has been blacklisted by several nations. At the time it was intercepted, it was incorrectly sailing under the ensign of Guyana.

This seizure was succeeded by the interception of a another oil vessel, the Centuries. This ship – in contrast to the Skipper – was not yet under official restrictions when it was taken into US custody.

American agencies are currently targeting a third vessel, which has been identified by the maritime risk group a risk firm as the Bella 1 tanker. The US President stated yesterday that “we’ll end up getting it”.

Writing on the social media platform X, the maritime monitoring group said the Bella 1 has been “in transit for 39 days” and, at an average speed of 11 knots, may have “another 28 to 35 days of fuel left unless her speed decreases”.

The monitoring service added the vessel is “likely heading south-east towards South Africa”.