{"id":23073,"date":"2026-01-09T19:02:29","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T19:02:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/?p=23073"},"modified":"2026-01-09T19:02:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T19:02:29","slug":"panama-says-flag-of-us-seized-oil-tanker-was-cancelled-last-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/?p=23073","title":{"rendered":"Panama Says Flag Of US-Seized Oil Tanker Was Cancelled Last Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

Panama Says Flag Of US-Seized Oil Tanker Was Cancelled Last Year
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Screengrab from X video posted by USCG<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Panama\u2019s maritime authority has said it cancelled the flag of the Venezuela-linked oil tanker M Sophia in January 2025, nearly a year before the vessel was seized by the United States military this week.<\/p>\n

The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) said on January 8 that the tanker\u2019s Panamanian registration was withdrawn on January 23, 2025.<\/p>\n

The clarification came after the US military\u2019s Southern Command announced that it had intercepted the vessel before dawn on January 7, describing it as a stateless and sanctioned tanker operating as part of a so-called dark fleet.<\/p>\n

According to the US military, the tanker was not flying a recognised national flag at the time of the interception.<\/p>\n

US authorities have said that vessels without a valid flag may be considered stateless under international law, which can allow them to be boarded or seized.<\/p>\n

The AMP also addressed the status of another tanker seized on the same day. It said the Bella-1, which the US described as Russian-flagged at the time of seizure, had previously been listed on Panama\u2019s shipping registry.<\/p>\n

However, the authority confirmed that the vessel\u2019s Panamanian registration ended on October 7, 2024.<\/p>\n

The Bella-1 was seized by US forces near Iceland after what was reported to be a pursuit lasting almost two weeks. The seizure appeared to be one of the first recent cases in which the US military has taken control of a tanker linked to Russia.<\/p>\n

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Specialized capabilities. Global impact. An unstoppable joint force.<\/p>\n

Alongside @DeptofWar<\/a>, @USCG<\/a> conducted a boarding and seizure of the Motor Tanker Bella I this morning in the North Atlantic. Following a sustained shadowing effort across the Atlantic by Coast Guard Cutter\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/xEmFkh4xLO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 U.S. Coast Guard (@USCG) January 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n