U.S. Forces Seize Sanctioned Oil Tanker After 10,000-Mile Pursuit in Sanctions Crackdown.

U.S. armed forces boarded the Suezmax tanker Aquila II in the Indian Ocean on February 9, 2026, after tracking it from the Caribbean, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said. The vessel was carrying roughly 700,000 barrels of Venezuelan crude in alleged violation of Washington’s maritime quarantine on sanctioned PDVSA-linked shipments.

U.S. forces intercepted and boarded the Suezmax oil tanker Aquila II in the Indian Ocean on February 9, marking one of the most geographically expansive maritime enforcement actions tied to U.S. sanctions on Venezuela in recent years. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the vessel had been tracked from the Caribbean after departing Venezuelan waters in early January with approximately 700,000 barrels of heavy crude organized by state oil firm Petróleos de Venezuela SA, or PDVSA. U.S. officials accused the ship of attempting to bypass a maritime quarantine targeting sanctioned Venezuelan energy exports bound for Asian markets.
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The tracking and interception of Aquila II relied on a combination of satellite surveillance, Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, and shipborne sensors. (Picture source: U.S DoD)

The operation leading to the boarding followed sustained monitoring of maritime traffic associated with sanctioned vessels. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755), a Legend-class National Security Cutter (NSC), tracked related tanker movements during the initial phase. The right-of-visit boarding was conducted by specialized Coast Guard teams, likely supported by U.S. Navy surface assets. In previous interdictions under the same enforcement framework, destroyers such as USS Pinckney and USS John Finn, along with the expeditionary mobile base USS Miguel Keith, have been deployed, supported by helicopters capable of inserting boarding teams directly onto tanker decks. This inter-service coordination enables persistent tracking of large commercial vessels across extended maritime distances, even when those vessels attempt to evade monitoring.

A Suezmax tanker is designed to transit the Suez Canal at full load and typically has a deadweight tonnage between 120,000 and 200,000 tons. These ships are generally about 275 meters in length, with a draft exceeding 16 meters when fully loaded. Their propulsion systems rely on slow-speed two-stroke diesel engines producing more than 20,000 kilowatts, allowing cruising speeds of roughly 14 knots under load. While these specifications provide a substantial range and carrying capacity, they also limit maneuverability and rapid acceleration, reducing the ability of such vessels to alter course quickly during sustained pursuit.

The tracking and interception of Aquila II relied on a combination of satellite surveillance, Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, and shipborne sensors. A Legend-class National Security Cutter such as Munro displaces approximately 4,500 tons and can reach speeds up to 28 knots, with an operational range of about 12,000 nautical miles at cruising speed. It is equipped with a three-dimensional air and surface search radar and an integrated combat system capable of processing tactical data links. The cutter can operate an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter, whose operational radius exceeds 400 nautical miles, and unmanned aerial systems, extending surveillance coverage beyond the radar horizon. These capabilities allow for sustained maritime domain awareness and coordinated interdiction planning.

Boarding a large civilian tanker follows a graduated enforcement model. Naval units maintain a controlled distance while preserving the capacity to escalate if required. Airborne assets provide overwatch and situational awareness, while secure communications enable real-time coordination of boarding teams. Once access is secured, teams focus on critical control points, including the bridge and engine room, to prevent interference with navigation systems or propulsion. The objective is to ensure compliance and maintain safety while asserting jurisdiction under the claimed enforcement authority.

Aquila II represents at least the eighth vessel seized since the United States initiated a maritime enforcement campaign in December targeting sanctioned tankers departing from or heading to Venezuela. Earlier interceptions included the tanker Skipper in the Caribbean and the vessel Marinera, previously known as Bella 1, captured in the North Atlantic after reportedly reflagging in an attempt to avoid detection. Another vessel, M Sophia, was also detained under similar circumstances. U.S. authorities have described these ships as part of a “shadow fleet” used to bypass sanctions through name changes, flag transfers, or AIS deactivation. Venezuelan officials have rejected the seizures as unlawful acts, characterizing them as violations of international norms. The ongoing enforcement effort has heightened diplomatic tensions and raised broader questions regarding maritime law, extraterritorial sanctions enforcement, and the stability of global energy supply routes.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay is a graduate of a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience in the study of conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.