Working Conditions Aboard the Centuries

On December 20, 2025, U.S. military forces successfully intercepted the tanker 'Centuries' in the waters west of Barbados. This vessel had departed from the Tanjung Pelepas anchorage in Malaysia on October 17, 2025. The 'Centuries' was under scrutiny for transmitting misleading AIS positions, which falsely indicated that it was operating in different areas of the Caribbean. Notably, this tanker has a documented history of engaging in sanction-related operations, including several instances of transporting crude and fuel oil from Venezuela, which are subject to restrictions imposed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Additionally, in early December, the 'Centuries' made covert port calls to the José Oil Terminal, where it loaded Merey crude oil.