The oil tanker left Nemrut port in Türkiye on December 30 and is currently passing through the English Channel. (Photo: Marinetraffic)
A sanctioned Russian tanker was spotted sailing through the English Channel, a day after a similar vessel was seized by the US military. The oil tanker, currently sailing under the name of Arcusat, was sanctioned by the US in 2024 for transporting Russian oil.
Sanctioned oil tanker sailing form Türkiye
The shadow fleet tanker, which was called Tia in August 2024, when it was sanctioned, was later renamed as Tavian. The oil tanker, which underwent another name change and now goes by the moniker Arcusat, is flying a Cameroon flag.
According to ship tracking data, the oil tanker left Nemrut port in Türkiye on December 30 and is currently passing through the English Channel, making its way towards Finland.
The ship, originally called Bella 1, was sanctioned in 2024 for transporting illicit cargo linked to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
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Alongside @DeptofWar, @USCG conducted a boarding and seizure of the Motor Tanker Bella I this morning in the North Atlantic. Following a sustained shadowing effort across the Atlantic by Coast Guard Cutter… pic.twitter.com/xEmFkh4xLO
The US seized the tanker, which was flying a Russian flag and was being shadowed by a Russian submarine, on Wednesday, after pursuing it for more than two weeks across the Atlantic.
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UK’s role in seizure of Marinera
The UK had helped seize the Marinera by providing RAF planes to track its movements through the North Atlantic.
Britain said its armed forces gave “pre-planned operational support, including basing” following a US request for assistance.
Today, the UK has provided enabling support to the United States at their request to interdict the vessel Bella 1. pic.twitter.com/9QveMnwZBa
UK Defence Secretary John Healey said the operation targeted a vessel “with a nefarious history” linked to Russian and Iranian sanctions evasion networks.
“This action formed part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions busting,” he said in a statement.
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The MoD statement said the support was provided “in full compliance with international law”.
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The oil tanker left Nemrut port in Türkiye on December 30 and is currently passing through the English Channel. (Photo: Marinetraffic) 
