Seizure of the Marinera oil tanker and transfer of its captain from Scottish waters

Seizure of the Marinera Oil Tanker and Transfer of Its Captain from Scottish Waters

On 7 January 2026, the United States Coast Guard and U.S. military special forces intercepted and seized a crude oil tanker known as the Marinera, formerly named Bella 1, in the North Atlantic between Iceland and Scotland. The U.S. operation was conducted under a judicial seizure warrant as part of efforts to enforce sanctions related to Venezuelan oil exports. After the boarding, the tanker was moved to waters off the coast of Scotland. United Kingdom armed forces provided logistical support during the operation. The vessel was described by British officials as part of a “shadow fleet” engaged in sanctions-evasion activity.

The captain of the Marinera, Avtandil Kalandadze, a Georgian national, and the ship’s first officer were aboard the tanker when it entered Scottish waters and was anchored in the Moray Firth. Lawyers representing Kalandadze’s wife sought a judicial review in the Court of Session in Edinburgh and obtained an interim order intended to prevent their removal from Scottish jurisdiction. Despite the court order, on 27 January 2026 the captain and first officer were transferred to a U.S. Coast Guard vessel, the Munro, after they were reported to be outside British territorial waters.

Legal counsel for Kalandadze’s wife described the transfer as effectively removing him from Scottish jurisdiction. A British government spokesperson stated that, at the request of U.S. authorities, the remaining crew were processed according to immigration and legal procedures. Of the 28 crew members, five reportedly chose to travel to the United States, with others returning to their home countries.

Russian officials, including the Russian Foreign Ministry, called for the release of Russian citizens among the crew. Reports indicate that two Russian nationals aboard the tanker have since been released and are en route back to Russia. The incident has drawn diplomatic concern regarding legal jurisdiction, enforcement of sanctions, and the status of foreign crew members following the seizure and transfer.

The U.S. and U.K. governments have characterized the operation as part of broader action to deter and disrupt evasion of sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports. No criminal charges against the captain or first officer have been publicly confirmed at the time of reporting.