U.S. seizes Nigerian-owned supertanker over alleged crude theft

The United States Coast Guard, in collaboration with the U.S. Navy, has intercepted a Nigerian-owned supertanker, Skipper, over allegations of crude oil theft, piracy, and other transnational crimes.

The vessel, a 20-year-old Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) with IMO Number 9304667, is reportedly owned and managed by Nigeria-based Thomarose Global Ventures Ltd., though its registered owner is listed as Triton Navigation Corp., headquartered in the Marshall Islands.

Authorities said the tanker was illegally flying the Guyanese flag at the time of the arrest. In response, Guyana’s Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) confirmed that Skipper is not on its national ship registry and that the vessel was using the flag without authorization.

According to U.S. security sources, the seizure was conducted under American law enforcement authority, with President Donald Trump announcing the operation on 10 December 2025.

In addition to suspicions of stolen crude, the vessel is under investigation for allegedly transporting a large consignment of hard drugs and operating within a network linked to Iranian and other Islamist-backed money laundering financiers.

A check with Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) indicated that Thomarose Global Ventures Ltd. is currently inactive.