The Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia responds to the information about the detention of the tanker Marinera, seized by the United States in the Atlantic Ocean on January 7.

"As it known, the crew of the tanker Marinera, seized by the United States in the Atlantic Ocean on January 7, 2026, consists of 28 sailors, including 6 Georgian nationals, 1 of whom, according to circulated information, is the ship`s captain. The crew also includes 20 Ukrainian and two Russian nationals.

According to available information, the aforementioned tanker was seized by the US on allegations of possible violations of international sanctions imposed on Venezuela.

The Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia is currently clarifying the factual circumstances, including identifying the ship`s employing company and searching for information about the Georgian crew members", - reads the statement.

The tanker Marinera, which was sailing under the Russian flag, was seized by U.S. military forces on January 7. According to the existing information, this vessel was previously named "Bella 1" and has been placed on the U.S. Treasury Department`s blacklist for transporting Iranian, Venezuelan and Russian oil.