Seabass

The sanctioned 'Seahorse' arrived in Venezuelan waters on Nov 23. In mid-November, the tanker, previously used to carry naphtha from Russia, altered course after the U.S. destroyer USS 'Stockdale' moved into its path near Venezuela. The 'Stockdale' arrived in the Caribbean waters in September in support of growing anti-narcotics operations in the region. The tanker departed from Matanzas on Nov 9 before making a U-turn on Nov 14, after encountering the USS 'Stockdale'. It subsequently made two more cautious approaches toward Venezuelan waters to the north of Aruba on Nov 16 and Nov 17, which again led to a course reversal after interceptions by the U.S. destroyer. After several days of circling in international waters it appears to have reached its destination at the oil tanker loading complex at Puerto José over the weekend. The tanker claims a flag of Comoros, which Equasis reported as false, and it was listed in 2025 by both the EU and UK for sanction violations. The vessel is considered to be part of the shadow fleet, having reported multiple name changes and flags. In the past, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) has also reported that the vessel was being used in the Iran to Venezuela trade, with both Russia and Iran supporting Venezuela’s need for distillate products to maintain its oil operations.

The sanctioned Russian ' Seahorse' made a U-turn on the way to Venezuela after a US warship intersected its route near the country’s coast, raising questions about whether Washington could step in to curtail Moscow’s energy aid to Caracas. The Russian vessel was en route to Venezuela to deliver a fuel cargo on Nov. 13, 2025, whenthea US destroyer USS 'Stockdale' positioned itself in its path. The Russian vessel changed course, heading toward Cuba, and the warship sailed near Venezuelan territorial waters toward Puerto Rico. The Seahorse has since tried to approach Venezuela twice, but turned back both times and remains idling in the Caribbean.

Formosa have committed their two LR1 tankers “Formosa Falcon” 70/2005 Japan & the one year older “Fpmc P Alpine” 70/2004 Japan for USD 7.0 mill to Winson after failing to Chinese for USD 8.2 mill.