Marinera tanker: RAF stalks Russian flagged ship chased by US forces as Moscow warships sent to guard ex-Venezuela vessel - will the Royal Navy respond?
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British forces are monitoring a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic after the vessel reportedly escaped the US Naval blockade of Venezuela.
An RAF spy plane appeared to have flown over the path of the Marinera yesterday (January 6), which is shown to be making its way north-east through the Atlantic. Several media reports suggest the Crude Oil tanker, previously known as Bella 1, avoided US President Donald Trump’s “total naval blockade” of Venezuela - specifically blocking oil tankers entering and leaving South American country.
Open source marine tracking websites showed the vessel south of Iceland and west of Ireland and Britain yesterday (January 6), travelling northwards. The BBC reports that Russia has deployed Navy ships to escort the tanker as it’s being pursued by American forces. The US Coastguard attempted to board the ship last month in the Caribbean, with a warrant to seize the vessel over its alleged breaching of sanctions.
CBS News reported yesterday that American forces were planning to board and seize the ship. The US military's Southern Command said in a social media statement that it “remains ready to support our US government agency partners in standing against sanctioned vessels and actors transiting through this region.” “Our sea services are vigilant, agile, and postured to track vessels of interest. When the call comes, we will be there,” it added.
Flight tracking websites show today that US special operations aircraft landed at a Scottish airport, Wick John O’Groats, before flying further north towards Iceland. The U-28A aircraft are used by the US Air Force’s special operations command and are used for intelligence-gathering and co-ordinating other aircraft. P8 Poseidon submarine-hunting aircraft and KC-135 refuelling planes have also been seen on flight tracking websites, heading to the area near the tanker.
What is Britain’s response to the Marinera tanker situation?
An RAF RC-135W Rivet Joint surveillance plane, which left RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire yesterday afternoon, was seen on flight tracking platforms flying over the same area which Marinera was sailing. Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence have been tight-lipped on the tracking of the vessel by Britain or the United States.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman told The Independent: “The US is the UK’s most important defence and security partner, and the depth of our defence relationship with the US remains an essential part of our security. I’m just not going to comment on speculation around operational activity, especially regarding other nations.”
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing pressure from his own backbenchers to be more openly critical of the US. This comes after Mr Trump ordered a mission to capture and seize Venezuelan president Nicholas Maduro on January 3 in what was a large scale strike.
Mr Trump accuses Maduro of “narco-terrorism”, something which Maduro pleaded not guilty to when he appear in a New York court on January 5. Critics believe Mr Trump broke international law.
Is the Royal Navy expected to be deployed?
Royal Navy warships have recently stayed away from American operations unless called upon. HMS Trent, a Portsmouth-based offshore patrol vessel, has largely kept to its own affairs since being deployed to the Caribbean. Her duties were to support British Oversea Territories dealing with natural disasters, responding after the devastating Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica.
On previous occasions, the Royal Navy supported the US Coastguard with anti drug smuggling operations in the region. This was not the case in 2025, with CNN reporting that the UK stopped sharing intelligence with the US about suspected narcotics vessels. HMS Trent’s social media page announced yesterday it was alongside the Azores Islands, in the North Atlantic Ocean, for a watch handover. HMS Mersey is currently in the English Channel monitoring a trio of Russian ships, one of which being the destroyer RFN Severomorsk.
HMS St Albans has recently been in the North Atlantic alongside RFA Tideforce. The Type 23 frigate was alongside Tromsø in northern Norway over the festive period, conducting various naval and replenishment exercises. The ship is planning to be alongside Aberdeen, Scotland, this week. RFA Tideforce is the closest ship to the Marinera.
If the US agrees to conduct an operation to seize the tanker, Washington would be expected to inform the UK as its ally. Given the recent separation of UK and US affairs, it’s a slim possibility the Britain would be asked to play an active role. More than likely, RAF aviators will continue to keep a watchful eye on the Marinera as it continues to head north.