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U.S. Forces Board Sanctioned Tanker Bertha in Indian Ocean After Caribbean Chase

The tanker's formal seizure status has not been announced, with officials indicating its disposition will be reviewed by Homeland Security and the State Department.

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FILE - The Pentagon, the headquarters for the U.S. Department of Defense, is seen from the air, Sept. 20, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, FIle)
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Overview

  • U.S. Southern Command said troops conducted a right-of-visit boarding of the Bertha after tracking it from the Caribbean, releasing video of helicopters fast-roping personnel onto the deck.
  • The action marks the third Indian Ocean interdiction tied to Venezuela-linked shipping this month, following operations against Aquila II and Veronica III as part of President Trump's quarantine enforcement.
  • The Bertha is flagged to the Cook Islands, has been under U.S. Iran-related sanctions since 2020, and is linked to Shanghai Legendary Ship Management, according to OFAC records.
  • Shipping trackers and PDVSA reports say the vessel is laden with about 1.9 million barrels of Merey crude and has previously taken Iranian oil via ship-to-ship transfers bound for China.
  • The Pentagon did not confirm a formal seizure; an unnamed U.S. official said the ship is under U.S. control pending multi‑agency decisions on custody and final disposition.