In a bold pre-dawn operation on January 9, 2026, U.S. forces from Joint Task Force Southern Spear boarded and seized the motor tanker Olina in the Caribbean Sea, marking the fifth such interception in recent weeks. The action, supported by Marines and Sailors launching from the USS Gerald R. Ford, underscores the escalating U.S. efforts to disrupt illicit oil trades under Operation Southern Spear. This latest seizure highlights the ongoing battle against the shadowy “dark fleet” of vessels evading international sanctions, with significant ripple effects on global energy markets.
The Olina Seizure: Details Emerge
The Olina, an Aframax tanker (IMO 9282479) previously known as Minerva M, was apprehended without incident, as announced by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
Falsely flying the flag of Timor Leste, the vessel had been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in January 2025 for its role in the unregulated shadow fleet.
At the time of seizure, it was carrying between 600,000 and 800,000 barrels of Venezuelan crude oil, all owned by Venezuela’s state-run oil company, PDVSA.
The oil was loaded in Venezuela last week, likely at a PDVSA facility such as Puerto José, a common departure point for these shipments.
Interestingly, reports indicate the Olina was en route back to Venezuelan waters fully loaded, possibly due to the intensifying U.S. blockade preventing it from reaching its intended buyers.
While the exact offloading destination remains unspecified, dark fleet vessels like the Olina typically head toward markets in Asia, where sanctioned oil finds willing customers despite global restrictions.
No specific buyers were named in connection with this cargo, but PDVSA’s exports often target entities willing to circumvent sanctions.
This operation is part of a broader U.S. strategy to enforce a global blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan oil exports, as emphasized by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
SOUTHCOM described the move as sending a “clear message” that there is “no safe haven for criminals,” backed by amphibious ready groups including the USS Iwo Jima, USS San Antonio, and USS Fort Lauderdale.
Once again, our joint interagency forces sent a clear message this morning: “there is no safe haven for criminals.”
In a pre-dawn action, Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, launched from the USS Gerald R.… pic.twitter.com/StHo4ufcdx
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) January 9, 2026
Confirming Other Tankers Boarded in Operation Southern Spear
The Olina is not an isolated case; it represents the latest in a series of seizures under Operation Southern Spear, launched to curb illicit maritime activities in the Western Hemisphere.
reuters.com
Here’s a rundown of the other four tankers intercepted:
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Tanker Name
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Seizure Date
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Oil Loaded (Barrels)
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Loading Location
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Intended Destination
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Key Details
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Skipper
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December 10, 2025
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1.85 million Venezuelan crude
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Puerto José, Venezuela
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East towards Asia (after partial offload to Cuba)
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Sanctioned for links to Iranian networks; seized via helicopters from USS Gerald R. Ford. en.wikipedia.org
|
|
Centuries
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December 20, 2025
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1.83 million Venezuelan crude
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Venezuela
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Not specified (history to China)
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Boarded near Venezuelan coast; history of transponder spoofing. en.wikipedia.org
|
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Marinera (formerly Bella 1)
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January 7, 2026
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None (en route to load)
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N/A
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Russian Arctic port to load Venezuelan oil
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Sanctioned for Iranian oil smuggling; crew resisted; escorted by Russian navy; seized with UK and Icelandic support. en.wikipedia.org
|
|
M Sophia
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January 7, 2026
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1.8 million Venezuelan crude
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Venezuela
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Not specified
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Stateless dark fleet vessel; transponder off for months. en.wikipedia.org
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These actions have targeted a flotilla of about a dozen vessels that departed Venezuela earlier this month, with some like the Skylyn, Min Hang, and Merope opting to return to Venezuelan waters rather than risk interception.
Impacts on Russia, Iran, and Venezuelan Income
These seizures are directly hammering Venezuela’s oil-dependent economy. PDVSA has been forced to drain onshore storage and shut down wells in the Orinoco Belt, leading to a sharp decline in crude exports.
With oil accounting for the vast majority of Venezuela’s revenue, these disruptions exacerbate existing challenges from prior sanctions and mismanagement, potentially costing the regime millions in lost income and further straining its ability to fund operations.
Iran’s involvement is more indirect but notable. Several seized tankers, including the Skipper and Marinera, have histories tied to Iranian oil smuggling networks linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hezbollah, and the Quds Force.
Iran often uses Venezuela as a hub for its sanctioned oil, blending it with local crude to obscure origins. Disruptions here could reduce Iran’s export avenues, impacting its revenue streams amid its own heavy sanctions.
Russia, while not the primary focus, has been drawn in through vessels like the Marinera, which was en route to a Russian port and escorted by Russian naval assets.
Moscow has accused the U.S. of “piracy” and demanded the repatriation of crews, testing maritime laws and escalating tensions. Russia’s dark fleet operations for its own sanctioned oil could face heightened scrutiny as a result, potentially affecting its export income if similar tactics spread to other regions.
How This Affects China
As a major importer of discounted sanctioned oil from Venezuela, Iran, and Russia, China stands to feel the pinch from these interceptions.
Tankers like the Centuries have a track record of delivering to Chinese ports, and the loss of these shipments could tighten supply for Chinese refineries that rely on cheap Venezuelan heavy crude. Beijing has condemned the U.S. actions as violations of international law, warning of aggravated tensions, including over control of the Panama Canal.
In the short term, this might drive up global oil prices or force China to seek alternatives, potentially from Middle Eastern suppliers at higher costs. However, China’s vast energy imports mean it can adapt, though not without economic friction.
Operation Southern Spear’s momentum shows no signs of slowing, signaling a new era of enforcement in the energy sector. As dark fleet activities persist, the balance of global oil trade hangs in the balance, with sanctioned nations scrambling to reroute their lifelines. Stay tuned to Energy News Beat for updates on how these developments reshape the market.
Sources: Southern Command, reuters.com.
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