Last week, maritime sector sanctions enforcement increased significantly across the US, specifically targeting vessels and entities who avoided restrictions on Russia crude oil and Venezuelan exports. Key actions taken included designation by OFAC of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control as well as high-profile tanker seizures by US forces.
OFAC Sanctions Three Entities and Blocks Russian Oil Tankers
The US Department of the Treasury's OFAC imposed sanctions on three entities and identified three vessels as blocked property for using Price Cap Coalition service providers while transporting Russian crude oil above the $60 per barrel cap, effective since December 2022. The vessels Kazan, Ligovsky Prospect, and NS Century were involved in these shipments.
Wally Adeyemo stressed accountability, noting that shipping companies must abide by OFAC reporting requirements in order to avoid penalties. OFAC reiterated their delisting process for behavioral change.
US Coast Guard Seizures Marinera Vessel in North Atlantic
US forces pursued and boarded the tanker Bella 1, later Marinera, in a dramatic North Atlantic operation, marking a precedent in high-seas interdictions. Initially flagged Russian, the vessel was tracked from the Caribbean toward the Arctic, allegedly escorted by a Russian submarine.
As part of a US federal court warrant for sanctions violations, a tanker was taken into US custody for flying a false flag, prompting Moscow to protest in violation of UNCLOS and raise questions over flag changes under pursuit as well as potential future enforcement precedents.
Olina Tanker Captured in Caribbean Sea Operation
On January 9, US Southern Command's Joint Task Force Southern Spear seized the motor tanker Olina in the Caribbean without incident. Previously Minerva M, it was sanctioned in January 2025 for transporting Russian and Venezuelan oil under false flags.
USS Gerald R. Ford took predawn action on January 8, 2025 to demonstrate no safe haven was available to violators following a December 7 US blockade on Venezuelan oil tankers sanctioned for sanctions violations.
Broad Context of Four Tanker Seizures
US operations seized four sanctioned tankers in recent weeks, including two last month, with Wednesday's actions targeting Venezuela-linked vessels like Marinera. These enforce controls on shadow fleets circumventing bans amid Russia's Ukraine war and Venezuela tensions.
Parallel Developments: BRICS Naval Drills
Concurrently, South Africa hosted the BRICS+ Will for Peace 2026 naval exercises from January 9-16 off Simons Town, involving Chinese, Russian, Iranian, and UAE vessels. Amid US tanker seizures, these drills drew criticism for ties with sanctioned nations.
South Africa strongly supported these exercises as essential, despite US warnings of tariffs and accusations of anti-American policies.
These events point towards increasing maritime enforcement efforts that aim to maintain market stability while curbing illegal oil revenues funding conflicts.