Three Indian nationals were among the crew members detained after the United States seized the oil tanker Marinera, a vessel associated with Venezuelan
oil shipments. The tanker, intercepted following a weeks-long pursuit, had a multinational crew that included citizens from India, Ukraine, Georgia and Russia. The Marinera had a crew of 28 people, including 20 Ukrainians, six Georgians, among them the ship’s captain, two Russians and three Indian nationals. The commercial vessel, chartered by a private trader, was operating under Guyana’s flag before being intercepted. US authorities said the tanker was involved in moving oil linked to Venezuela in violation of international sanctions and was part of efforts to bypass existing restrictions. Following the seizure, the entire crew was detained while investigators examine the ship’s ownership, chartering arrangements and compliance with maritime and sanctions laws. US officials have not disclosed how long the crew will be held or what legal proceedings they may face as the investigation continues.
