The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party has identified direct links between China and an oil tanker seized by U.S. authorities for alleged sanctions evasion. In a recent letter, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent highlighted China's role as a major customer and operational hub in large-scale sanctions evasion involving Venezuelan and Iranian networks.
Congressman John Moolenaar commended the U.S. government's actions, stating, “The U.S. government took decisive and commendable action against SKIPPER, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s recent sanctions targeting Venezuela-related evasion networks show why continued pressure is needed.” He urged the Treasury to review and potentially sanction another tanker, LUOIS, which is managed by Chinese operators.
Moolenaar emphasized the importance of further action: “Building on the strong work already done by the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies, Treasury’s firm action here would not only close the SKIPPER–LUOIS loop but also send a clear signal to Beijing and to PRC-based commercial actors that the United States will treat PRC facilitators of sanctions evasion as central drivers of these networks rather than peripheral participants. I stand ready to support Treasury with any additional information or coordination as you assess the necessary designations and guidance.”
U.S. authorities seized the oil tanker SKIPPER on December 10, 2025. The vessel had been sanctioned by the Treasury Department in 2022 for its alleged involvement in oil trafficking linked to Hezbollah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
According to findings from the Select Committee, China is identified as a key buyer and logistical center for sanctioned crude oil facilitated by tankers like SKIPPER. Satellite imagery shows that SKIPPER operated as part of a so-called “dark fleet,” employing false flags and altered tracking data to hide its activities while transporting sanctioned oil. Earlier in 2025, before returning to Venezuelan waters in November, SKIPPER reportedly delivered Iranian crude oil to China through ship-to-ship transfers with LUOIS in the South China Sea. Commercial satellite images confirm both vessels were located together during this period, supporting links between these shipments and delivery networks based in China.
For more details, readers can access the full letter.
