U.S. Seizes Another Chinese Hong Kong Oil Tanker, U.S. Experts: Preparing for Global Interception of Chinese Merchant Ships.
The U.S. Coast Guard conducted a boarding operation in the Caribbean Sea on January 9, 2026, seizing the oil tanker Olina. The vessel was previously known as Minerva M and had been sanctioned by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union for transporting Russian oil. The ship's ownership was transferred to Tantye Peur Limited, a company based in Hong Kong, in July 2025, which was seen as an attempt to circumvent sanctions. The Olina carried approximately 700,000 barrels of Venezuelan crude oil, which had departed from a Venezuelan port and attempted to return to the region without proper authorization. The U.S. emphasized that this action aimed to strengthen control over Venezuela's oil exports and prevent embargoed goods from entering the international market. Ship tracking data showed that the last position signal from the vessel was transmitted in mid-November 2025 near the coast of Venezuela, after which it adopted a covert navigation method. The Coast Guard coordinated with the Navy, using the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier as a support platform, while tactical teams approached and controlled the vessel via helicopter. The crew did not resist during the inspection, and document review confirmed its sanction history.
This incident marks the fifth similar case seized by the U.S. in recent times. Since December 2025, the U.S. has intensified monitoring in the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic waters, intercepting multiple tankers suspected of violating sanctions. These vessels mostly belong to the "shadow fleet," evading tracking through frequent name changes, flag swaps, and ownership transfers. The case of the Olina highlights the prevalence of this strategy; the vessel operated under the Panamanian flag before switching to a fake flag of East Timor. According to the international shipping database Equasis, the vessel has a deadweight tonnage of 114,809 tons and was built in 2005. U.S. officials stated that these actions are based on a unilateral sanctions framework, aiming to cut off Venezuela's access to petroleum products through third parties. Venezuela's oil industry relies on imported light crude oil to dilute its heavy oil, but sanctions have caused supply disruptions, leading to a sharp decline in oil production. The cargo originally carried by the Olina may have included Russian naphtha, which is crucial for Venezuela's refining, but has been blocked due to geopolitical pressures.
A report by a U.S. think tank analyzed that such maritime interdictions reflect an enhancement of the U.S. military's ability to enforce laws at sea. Some observers worry that these operations might expand to broader areas, targeting Chinese maritime activities. Controlling maritime chokepoints has become a key focus of U.S. strategy, especially when implementing sanctions. After being placed on the blacklist, the Olina's route showed signs of evasion, including interactions with relevant vessels in the South China Sea. The U.S. determined through the Maritime Threat Response Mechanism that the vessel had no valid nationality, thus falling under jurisdiction. The Department of Defense released a video showing the boarding process, with the team inspecting the tanks and documents to ensure the cargo met embargo standards. Subsequently, the vessel was escorted back to a Venezuelan port, where the cargo was handed over for local handling. This series of actions forms a systematic pressure with the previous four interceptions, aiming to maintain the effectiveness of sanctions.
Expert opinions indicate that the U.S. seizing oil tankers near Venezuela may be accumulating experience for future global similar missions. Once special forces become proficient in boarding and inspecting ships at sea, the scope of operations could expand to critical waterways, potentially intercepting Chinese merchant ships to limit trade flows. The Trump administration stated that such measures have not yet expanded, but long-term goals include blocking maritime channels. Involvement of Hong Kong companies in such incidents highlights the dual pressure faced by Asian enterprises, needing to comply with local regulations while also dealing with international sanctions. The Chinese Foreign Ministry criticized these actions, claiming they violate international law, but the U.S. insists on the legitimacy based on sanctions. The ship's history includes multiple name changes aimed at evading tracking, a pattern commonly seen in trade involving Russian and Iranian oil.
Such incidents reflect the intensifying geopolitical tensions. The U.S. maintains its framework through maritime enforcement, while affected parties seek alternative routes. The seizure of the Olina has drawn international attention, with a tightly coordinated sanctions network among many countries. Observers emphasize that control over maritime chokepoints has become central to great power competition, potentially affecting global supply chain stability in the future. Chinese merchant ships operating in strategic waterways face potential risks and need to assess response strategies in advance.
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Original: toutiao.com/article/1854114595826820/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.