The tanker, which was intercepted by the US off the coast of Venezuela on Saturday, December 20, and sailed under the Panamanian flag, did not comply with the country's maritime regulations and turned off its transponder. This was stated by Panama's Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha, UNN reports.
Details
The tanker, which was recently intercepted by the US and sailed under the Panamanian flag, did not comply with the country's maritime regulations and turned off its transponder while leaving Venezuelan waters with a cargo of crude oil.
He noted that Panama would take appropriate action, without adding further details.
As the publication notes, a country that grants its flag to vessels officially registered in its registry may revoke the vessel's registration if an investigation determines that it did not comply with maritime regulations. The tanker Centuries, which was pursued by the US Coast Guard on Saturday after leaving Venezuela, sailed under the Panamanian flag.
Recall
The United States detained the Panamanian-flagged tanker Bella 1 near Venezuela. This happened amid the tightening oil blockade of Nicolas Maduro's regime. The vessel was heading to Venezuela for loading.