Iran-Linked Vessels in the Caribbean

The recent U.S. seizure of the SKIPPER (9304667), a vessel linked to Iran’s sanctions evasion network, off the coast of Venezuela has drawn fresh attention to Tehran’s growing maritime presence in the Caribbean. While Iran-linked tankers are most often tracked in the Persian Gulf, the Malacca Straits and the South China Sea, an increasing number have been spotted navigating waters far closer to the United States.

The presence of these ships in the Caribbean underscores the fluid and interchangeable nature of the dark fleets or Ghost Armadas operated by Iran, Russia, and Venezuela. UANI has maintained a list of the Ghost Armada for years, which has resulted in designations of some of these vessels which are evading American sanctions. Although SKIPPER was seized by the U.S. while carrying Venezuelan oil, the vessel has a longer history of transporting Iranian crude. Crucially, numerous other ships with similar characteristics and equally extensive ties to Iran are also currently operating in the Caribbean.

Oil Tankers 

Map of illicit oil tankers now operating in Caribbean waters:

Arrow: Vessel currently in motion 
Dot: Vessel currently stationary or anchored 
Note: This map is based on AIS data and does not display vessels with AIS turned off or spoofed, including BERTHA, RESTON, and JAMAICA.

Listed below are oil tankers linked to Iran’s oil trade and now operating in Caribbean waters:

Listed below are oil tankers linked to Russian and Venezuelan oil trades operating in Caribbean waters:

Public reports suggest that the U.S. government is planning on seizing additional tankers as part of its pressure campaign against the Maduro regime in Venezuela. This list of vessels provides a roadmap of potential targets for such seizures.