@TankerTrackers reported during the reporting window ending at 11:45 a.m. UTC on Dec. 23 that BELLA 1 (IMO 9230880) has not been seized despite U.S. Coast Guard pursuit, facing fuel constraints after 39 days in transit at an average 11 knots, with 28-35 days remaining unless speed drops. The X post by @TankerTrackers, released over the past 90 minutes, stated the vessel might reduce speed if the pursuit ends, projecting a southeast route toward South Africa to reach the Middle East while staying off AIS, as the Suez Canal and Strait of Gibraltar mandate AIS usage. This development relates to the Venezuela crisis, for which the UN Security Council scheduled an urgent session on Dec. 23, according to an announcement made earlier this morning between 8:15 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. UTC.
