Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Aquila-Ii

On February 9, 2026, U.S. military personnel executed a maritime interdiction operation, boarding the tanker 'Aquila II' while it navigated through the INDOPACOM region in the Indian Ocean. This action was part of ongoing efforts to enforce sanctions on vessels operating against U.S. regulations. The 'Aquila II' was reportedly en route from Visakhapatnam and had been identified as violating the quarantine imposed by the United States on sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean. Tracked by the Department of War from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, the 'Aquila II' was officially labeled as blocked property by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control on January 10, 2025. This designation was linked to the vessel’s connections with the Russian energy sector. Owned by Sunne Co Limited, a company subject to sanctions outlined in Executive Order 14024, the ship was further restricted under U.S. sanctions the same day it was designated. This vessel has also faced sanctions from other jurisdictions including the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, Ukraine, and Switzerland. As of July 17, 2025, the 'Aquila II' was flagged as unknown, having been operating primarily under the Panamanian flag. It had departed from Venezuela on January 3 under the alias 'Cape Balder', partially loaded with crude oil. The tanker was one of at least 16 vessels that defied the U.S.-imposed maritime blockade under Operation Southern Lance. Past accusations from the Treasury have linked Sunne-controlled vessels to risky shipping practices, including the transport of oil priced above the G7’s $60-per-barrel cap. The network reportedly employs tactics such as changing vessel names, flags, and ownership to evade sanctions while continuing to transport sanctioned oil from Russia, Venezuela, and Iran. For detailed visuals, visit the report with photos here: [Kyiv Independent](https://kyivindependent.com/us-boards-venezuela-linked-shadow-fleet-tanker-in-indian-ocean/) or follow [U.S. Department of War](https://x.com/DeptofWar/status/2020833550488965503?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2020833550488965503%7Ctwgr%5Ed10c468418c2a8971ad5c5ef5cac1960c5669e17%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraaf.nl%2Fbuitenland%2Fvs-enteren-verdacht-schip-dat-vaart-onder-panamese-vlag-in-indische-oceaan-amerikaanse-sancties-genegeerd%2F130477559.html).

Despite the United States' ongoing efforts to enforce one of the most significant maritime quarantines in history, Venezuela's oil exports remain resilient. A covert fleet of tankers has ingeniously employed stealth tactics to navigate through U.S. naval patrols, sparking debates around the blockade's efficacy and the potential for maritime confrontations. Recent reports indicate that at least 16 oil tankers, previously idling at Venezuelan ports, have simultaneously set sail into international waters as part of a synchronized maneuver aimed at overwhelming U.S. interdiction capabilities. Observations revealed that some vessels appeared near African coasts while actually departing from Venezuela. An array of sophisticated techniques has been utilized by the operators, including the transmission of dual signals, leading to the vessels showing up in two locations at once. In addition, crews have been seen altering hull colors and names to evade detection, while spoofing and GNSS manipulation have become common practices among these rogue operators. Notable among the fleet are the 'Veronica III' (IMO: 9326055), associated with the sanctioned group and departing in 'dark mode', the 'Vesna' (IMO: 9233349), also from the sanctioned fleet and utilizing AIS signal spoofing, and the 'Aquila II', which presented false location data signaling its presence thousands of miles away.