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Authorities in the Dutch Caribbean have detained two small oil tankers suspected of involvement in Venezuelan crude shipments as part of efforts to enforce stricter maritime controls.
The Caribbean Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (CMOU) reports that the tankers Morning Sun and Regina were held in separate Dutch-affiliated jurisdictions after inspections revealed serious issues. Both vessels have been connected to deliveries of Venezuelan oil, which has resumed under new U.S.-supervised export arrangements.
The Morning Sun, a 1996-built Panama-flagged tanker, was detained in St. Eustatius after inspectors found multiple safety and equipment deficiencies, including problems with fire doors, fire pump systems and watertight hatch covers. Officials said the number of findings was too significant to allow the ship to continue its voyage.
Meanwhile, the Regina was detained in Bullenbaai, Curaçao. Local authorities noted the tanker had previously carried at least one cargo linked to a joint Trafigura–U.S. marketing arrangement for Venezuelan crude. The detention comes as Curaçao seeks to position itself as a regional hub for lawful Venezuelan oil exports. However, the move could complicate those ambitions if ageing vessels are unable to pass inspections.
Inspectors also flagged irregularities with the Regina’s flag. The vessel was reportedly flying the flag of East Timor, which does not maintain an international shipping registry. East Timor has previously asked other countries to investigate vessels claiming its flag. A probe into the circumstances of the ship’s documentation and condition is ongoing.
The detentions highlight a shift as Venezuela’s oil exports restart under U.S. management. Some shipments are now being directed to ports with stricter Port State Control regimes, increasing scrutiny of older vessels previously used in lower-enforcement regions.
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