The US just grabbed a huge oil tanker loaded with Venezuelan crude, and it’s a big deal for the country’s shadow fleet. This fleet, made up of over 30 sanctioned ships, is now facing a much riskier situation. For years, they’ve been operating under the radar, but now they’re in the spotlight. This is the first time since 2019 that the US has stopped a Venezuelan oil shipment, and it could mean a tougher approach to sanctions under Trump.
This seizure, announced by Trump himself, has the shipping world buzzing. Ship owners and operators are rethinking whether it’s worth sailing to Venezuela at all. With delays piling up and more eyes watching, these tankers, which used to operate pretty freely, might be facing their last voyage.
Reports show at least 30 sanctioned ships are near Venezuela right now and could be next. For these ships, used to secret operations, this sudden attention is a major problem.
The seized tanker, the Skipper, has been part of the shadow fleet that has been moving Venezuelan oil to buyers overseas. These ships often turn off their tracking devices, fake their location, use fake company names, and load oil at night to hide what they’re doing. They’ve become key to Venezuela’s survival while under sanctions.
Venezuela is furious, calling the seizure a blatant act of theft and international piracy. They say the US is trying to cut off their main source of income.
This move comes after Trump sent more US military forces to the region. Since September, those forces have hit over 20 ships suspected of drug trafficking, signaling a willingness to use force that has some worried. Trump didn’t give many details about the oil seizure, just saying, We keep it, I guess.
Coast Gridlock: Ships Stuck
The seizure caused immediate chaos. Reports indicate that over 80 ships, either loaded or awaiting loading, are in Venezuelan waters or nearby. Over 30 of them are already under US sanctions.
Many of these ships have been stuck for months. Previous sanctions left tankers stranded, waiting for clearance, insurance, or buyers willing to take the risk.
The problem isn’t just in Venezuela. One report says the global shadow fleet comprises 1,423 tankers, of which 921 are sanctioned by the US, UK, or EU. These ships are usually older, haven’t been properly inspected, and often lack adequate insurance, making ports and traders wary of them.
A lot of these ships carry sanctioned oil from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela to Asia. They often switch between these countries, carrying Venezuelan oil one month and Russian oil the next.
Venezuelan oil shipments usually begin at state-run terminals, where shadow-fleet tankers load oil under fake names. Once they’re at sea, they often turn off their tracking systems (go dark) to hide their routes to Malaysia, the South China Sea, or China. Data shows many tankers wait to broadcast their real location until well after leaving Venezuelan waters. These tricks have helped Venezuela keep exporting oil despite sanctions. The state-run oil company didn’t comment on the seizure or its impact.
A shipping company says about 15% of the world’s largest oil tankers are under sanctions. The US has targeted almost all the tankers controlled by Venezuela’s state oil company, as well as those carrying Venezuelan oil to Cuba. Russia and China, also facing sanctions, have used similar tactics to keep their oil flowing. Sanctions Haven’t Stopped Exports Despite the challenges, Venezuela’s oil industry has been surprisingly tough. Exports rose to over 900,000 barrels a day in November, the highest monthly average this year. This was helped by increased imports of naphtha, needed to dilute Venezuela’s heavy crude. Naphtha imports, mostly from Russia, doubled, giving Venezuela more options in the coming weeks. Venezuela has also increased cooperation with Iran, exchanging support and expertise. A key partner in Venezuela confirmed things are still operating as normal.
The US seizure has traders, insurers, and ship owners scrambling. The US had avoided directly interfering with Venezuelan oil exports before, relying instead on discouraging buyers and restricting finances. This seizure suggests that it might be changing.
Experts say this could cause short-term export delays as more ship owners refuse to load oil in Venezuela. Some might try to hide their identities even more, increasing the risk of accidents. The situation also has larger implications. Venezuela’s leader has accused the US of trying to overthrow him and steal the country’s oil. The increased US military presence has made things even tenser. There’s also growing opposition to Trump’s approach within the US. One poll found that many Americans disapprove of using military force against small boats.
The US seizure could be a turning point for the global trade in sanctioned oil. By targeting a ship already involved in Venezuela’s shadow fleet, the US has created uncertainty for a system built on dodging the rules. For the sanctioned tankers off Venezuela and around the world, the game has changed.
Whether this will pressure Venezuela’s government is unclear. But the immediate effects are visible: ship owners are hesitant, departures are stalled, and the shadow fleet is now in the spotlight.
For an oil industry that has survived by staying in the dark, the next few weeks will show how much risk it can really handle.
