Tracking The 5 Iranian Oil Tankers Heading To Venezuela

The Iran-Venezuela tanker crisis is a potential flash-point which threatens a major escalation. Five tankers loaded with gasoline are sailing across the Atlantic from Iran to Venezuela. Using open source intelligence (OSINT) it is possible to the tanker’s progress and, if it comes to it, watch an international confrontation unfold.

It appears possible that U.S. forces could intervene to prevent the arrival. Both countries are subject to economic sanctions. The U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and partner agencies have recently initiated Enhanced Counter-Narcotic Operations. This includes the Caribbean and brings many warships within reach of the tankers.

The U.S. has not voiced any intention of stopping them however. Despite this the Venezuelan military appears to be on high alert and is conducting a ‘comprehensive naval exercise’ called Bolivarian Shield 2020.

One of the tankers, Fortune, has already been met by the Venezuelan Navy and is now in Venezuelan waters. The Venezuelan warship, PO-13 Yekuana, is an offshore patrol vessel armed with a 76 mm cannon and light weapons. It would be no match for a U.S. navy interdiction force. A similarly equipped Venezuelan warship, BVL Naiguatá, recently sunk after it rammed a cruise liner it was attempting to seize.

The absence of U.S. forces on the scene however suggests that all five will get to make their delivery.

The ships probably loaded with the gasoline at the Persian Gulf Star Refinery near Bandar Abbas, Iran. They then traveled Red Sea and Suez Canal into the Mediterranean, and then into the Atlantic.

They are obeying basic ‘rules of the road’, which apply to maritime traffic. This means that they are broadcasting their position on AIS (Automated Identification System). So their position can be monitored on AIS platforms such as MarineTraffic.

The five tankers are:

1. Fortune, Iranian flagged oil tanker, IMO 9283746
2. orest, Iranian flagged oil tanker, IMO 9283760
3. Petunia, Iranian flagged oil tanker, IMO 9820336
4. Faxon, Iranian flagged oil tanker, IMO 9283758
5. Clavel, Iranian flagged oil tanker, IMO code 9820312

With the positions on AIS it is possible to find them on free satellite imagery, such as from Sentinel Hub. This is low resolution but serves the purpose well. Paid commercial imagery such as Planet Labs can also be used for better resolution.

OSINT analysts such as Aurora Intel have been tracking the events. If events do escalate, you can follow the ship’s movements via skilled use of AIS and satellite imagery.