Russian Tanker Marinera Starts Journey to US After Being Seized Near Iceland

A Russian-flagged oil tanker, the Marinera, which was seized in the North Atlantic earlier this year, has begun its journey to the United States after being moored in Scottish waters, BBC reported on February 26.

The vessel, previously named Bella 1, was taken under US control on January 7, south of Iceland, and escorted to Scotland's Moray coast. The tanker had been anchored in the Moray Firth before being escorted into the North Sea and is now en route to the English Channel.

The Marinera was seized due to accusations that it violated international sanctions by transporting oil linked to Russia, Venezuela, and Iran, as reported by BBC.

The UK Ministry of Defence assisted in the operation, with British airfields being used by US military aircraft, and support provided by the Royal Navy’s RFA Tideforce and the Royal Air Force’s surveillance aircraft. The Marinera is set to undergo a judicial forfeiture process upon its arrival in the United States.

According to BBC, the Russian government has strongly condemned the action, demanding that Russian nationals aboard the tanker be treated appropriately and allowed to return to Russia quickly.

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World

Russia Sets Three Oil Export Records Via Baltic Ports in January 2026—Here’s What We Know

Feb 19, 2026 18:13

Earlier this month, Denmark detained an Iran-flagged container ship, “Nora,” after concerns arose regarding its registration status. The ship, which was originally sailing under the flag of Comoros, was found to be unregistered in the Comoros registry, according to Danish maritime authorities.

The Comoros government informed Denmark that the vessel did not appear in its registry, prompting the Danish authorities to act.

The ship has been detained until the flag state can prove to the Danish maritime authority that it is properly registered and certified. Additionally, a port state inspection was carried out to ensure the ship met safety standards before it could be released. Following the inspection, Denmark confirmed that no significant safety issues were found.

Previously, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed that an oil tanker, believed to be part of Russia’s shadow fleet, was released after its owner paid a significant fine.

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