U.S. Justice Department Seeks Ownership of Seized Oil Tanker 'Skipper' and Venezuelan Crude

U.S. Initiates Forfeiture Proceedings for Sanctioned Tanker

The U.S. Justice Department has filed a civil forfeiture complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeking to legally take ownership of the Motor Tanker (M/T) Skipper and its cargo of approximately 1.8 million barrels of crude oil. The tanker was seized on December 10, 2025, on the high seas off Venezuela's coast. This action marks a significant step in the U.S. government's efforts to disrupt illicit oil trade supporting sanctioned entities.

Allegations of Sanctions Evasion and Terrorist Financing

According to the complaint, the M/T Skipper and its cargo are subject to forfeiture due to their alleged role in a scheme to facilitate the shipment and sale of petroleum products for the benefit of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including the IRGC-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), which is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the U.S.. The Justice Department alleges that the Skipper has been involved in sanctions evasion activities since at least 2021, transporting crude oil from both Iran and Venezuela.

Tactics used to obscure its illicit activities reportedly included:

• Spoofing its locations
• Flying false flags, such as a Guyanese flag at the time of seizure
• Conducting ship-to-ship transfers

Details of the Seized Cargo and Destination

The seized crude oil, approximately 1.8 million barrels, was supplied by Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA), Venezuela's state-owned oil company. The complaint indicates that the oil was loaded onto the Skipper from Venezuela in November 2025. Shipping documents cited in the complaint suggest that approximately 1.1 million barrels of the cargo were intended for Cubametales, the Cuban state-run oil import and export company, which is also under U.S. sanctions.

Official Statements and Broader Context

Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, 'This Department of Justice will deploy every legal authority at our disposal to completely dismantle and permanently shutter any operation that defies our laws and fuels chaos across the globe.' FBI Director Kash Patel added that the forfeiture complaint 'demonstrates the FBI's unwavering commitment to enforcing U.S. sanctions and thwarting hostile regimes who exploit the global oil trade.' Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva highlighted that the action helps make the world safer 'by disrupting the flow of millions of dollars to foreign terrorist organizations.'

This seizure is part of a broader U.S. campaign against Venezuela's oil sector and entities supporting sanctioned regimes. It is the first complaint filed by the U.S. to formally take control of one of at least 10 oil tankers intercepted by American authorities since late last year. The Venezuelan government has condemned the seizure, labeling it an 'act of international piracy.'