Shadow Fleet Slips Away

In today’s episode of **What’s going on with BRICS**:**Shadow Fleet** **Slips Away** **Tankers Beat** **US Blockade**If you’re new to the channel, hey, take a moment, subscribe to the channel, then hit the bell to be alerted about new episodes when they drop.Coming to you today from [location to be filled by owner].### What’s in the News1. **The breakout begins – 16 tankers make their move** - Right after Maduro’s capture on January 3, at least 16 shadow fleet tankers fled Venezuelan ports in a coordinated rush. - These vessels had been trapped by Trump’s “complete blockade” since mid-December – unable to load or leave. - NYT and TankerTrackers.com confirm: Ships vanished from docks by Saturday; some carrying millions of barrels of crude and fuel. - For normies: This is like a prison break for oil ships – desperate to get cash flowing before the regime collapses. 2. **How they pulled it off – saturation and deception tactics** - TankerTrackers.com says the only way to beat a naval blockade is to “overwhelm it with outbound vessels” – all 16 left at once to saturate US forces. - Many turned off AIS transponders (tracking signals) to go dark. - Others used “spoofing” – broadcasting fake locations (e.g., appearing in Nigeria or the Baltic Sea while sailing east from Venezuela). - NYT spotted four ~30 miles offshore; 12 others untracked – total potential cargo 4-12 million barrels. 3. **US blockade details – Navy on high alert** - Trump insists the oil embargo is in “full force” during the transition. - Military focus “almost exclusively” on interdicting these sanctioned shadow vessels. - Key assets: USS Gerald R. Ford carrier group, USS Iwo Jima, destroyers – one of the largest “quarantines” in modern history (Marco Rubio quote). - Exemptions: Chevron shipments to US allowed – shows it’s targeted at regime revenue, not all oil. 4. **Fleet breakdown – size, cargo, and risks** - Mix of supertankers (VLCCs) and smaller vessels – each VLCC can carry 2 million barrels worth $120-150 million at current prices. - Most under US sanctions for hauling Iranian/Russian oil – linked to traders like Alex Saab (Maduro ally, once jailed in US). - Departures without interim government’s authorization – early sign of defiance against Delcy Rodríguez’s control. 5. **Why now – storage crunch forces the gamble** - Venezuela’s onshore tanks nearing capacity – continued pumping risks permanent reservoir damage. - Regime needed exports to keep cash coming; blockade was starving funds. - Breakout seen as desperate bid to salvage revenue for loyalists or proxies. 6. **Previous US interceptions – the blockade’s track record** - Three tankers confronted so far: Skipper seized December 10 en route to China. - Centuries boarded December 20 but not taken; Marinera (ex-Bella 1) still pursued. - Shows enforcement works sometimes – but mass breakout tests limits. 7. **Global reactions building – escalation fears** - Russia/China condemn as “economic warfare” – SCO could amplify with joint statements. - Latin America protests; risk of regional backlash against US. - Western allies quiet – no strong enforcement pushback. 8. **Speculation (labeled as such)** - If most deliver: Loyalists get hundreds of millions – prolongs resistance or funds chaos. - If intercepted: US seizes cargo (billions in value) – massive win, but risks clashes with buyers (China?). - Wild card: More coordinated breakouts – could make blockade unsustainable long-term. OK team, so what does all this mean? Well, it means the shadow fleet breakout exposes real cracks in the US blockade – coordinated deception slipped millions of barrels past the Navy, keeping oil cash alive for regime holdouts while the world watches.1. If shadow tankers can spoof and saturate a US blockade this easily, are American sanctions just theater in a multipolar world?2. Why cheer blocking Russian energy in Ukraine but shrug when Venezuela’s oil slips away – same playbook, or rules only for enemies?3. With Venezuela’s fleet going dark and delivering crude, is the dollar’s oil weapon finally breaking – and who’s really buying the black market barrels?🌀 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wgowbrics.substack.com