Two oil tankers seized by the United States in operations linked to sanctioned Venezuelan and Russian oil trades have been sold for recycling in India, ending their commercial careers.
Dubai-based ship recycling company Global Marketing Systems (GMS) purchased the vessels in July for an undisclosed amount. The U.S. government authorised the sales through court orders. The ships, now named MV Era and MV Lileo, are due to be dismantled at Indian recycling yards.
MV Era, formerly known as Marinera and Bella 1, was seized by U.S. Coast Guard and military personnel in January in the North Atlantic, south of Iceland. U.S. authorities had pursued the vessel for weeks after it allegedly evaded a blockade targeting Venezuelan oil exports. Washington said the tanker had transported sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.
MV Lileo, previously named Galileo and Veronica, was also seized in January, but in the Caribbean. The tanker was Russian-flagged at the time and was subject to U.S. sanctions related to Russia.
The two tankers are part of a larger group targeted by Washington following its military operation in Venezuela. The United States seized or took control of as many as 10 tankers as part of efforts to disrupt sanctioned oil shipments.
