Russian Oil Tanker | Gone Dark, Renamed, Rerouted, How The Russian Oil Tanker Was Tracked and Seized

This video tracks the route of the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera, a vessel that evaded US authorities for weeks before being seized in the North Atlantic. Originally operating under the name Bella One, the tanker left Iran in August 2025 and headed towards Venezuela to load oil. In December, the US Coast Guard made its first attempt to seize the vessel for alleged sanctions violations. The tanker responded by altering course, switching off its tracking systems and effectively going dark at sea. It later resurfaced under a new identity, renamed Marinera and re-registered as a Russian-flagged ship. The vessel reappeared on radar on January 1 in the Atlantic Ocean and was closely tracked as it moved between Scotland and Iceland. After days of pursuit, the tanker abruptly slowed and changed course on January 7, allowing US forces to seize it. At the time, officials said the ship was not carrying any oil. Through maps and timelines, we break down how the tanker’s changing routes, identity switch and evasive tactics ultimately led to its interception and seizure.