The vessel N35, born in Norway but flying the Panamanian flag, is 42 years old and had embarked from the Canary Islands 40 days prior to its capture by the Bolivarian Navy in Venezuelan waters.
The interception was confirmed by Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, who noted that the Panamanian-flagged ship was located very close to the mouths of the Orinoco River without proper authorization from Venezuelan authorities.
The intercepted ship, built in Norway in 1983, is an offshore tug/supply ship. It changed its name from Blue Betria to N35 in 2020, having previously operated as North Truck, Nordy Truck, and Sound Truck throughout its long service life. Around the same time, alterations to its hull paint were reported, which explains the “gray” color mentioned by Minister Padrino López, resembling the naval gray used by warships.
Technical Features of the N35 Vessel (IMO 8119637):
Length (LOA): 81 meters
Beam: 18 meters
Draft: Approximately 4.0 meters
Gross Tonnage (GT): 2597 tons
Deadweight (DWT): 2490 tons (some records mention up to 3370 tons in past history)
Reported Speed: At the time of interception, its speed was 9.7 knots.
According to maritime tracking data, the N35 departed from Las Palmas, Spain, on May 5, bound for Isla Margarita, Venezuela, with an estimated arrival date of June 15. However, its trajectory led it to the vicinity of the Ensenada and the mouths of the Orinoco, a strategic area for Venezuela, prompting intervention by the National Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB).
Minister Padrino López emphasized that the Navy’s actions were carried out in Venezuela’s Exclusive Economic Zone, reaffirming the country’s sovereignty over its waters and resources. The FANB towed the ship to a Venezuelan port for thorough inspection, despite an initial “resistance from the crew,” as stated by the Minister.
While the official statement does not reveal the owning company, international ship registries, like BalticShipping.com, identify GULF OFFSHORE – ABERDEEN, UK, as the current owner or operator of the N35.
This incident highlights the constant surveillance that the FANB maintains over its maritime spaces. Venezuelan authorities have reiterated that any unauthorized activity in their jurisdictional waters will have consequences, aligning with their commitment to defend the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Investigations into the purpose and activities of the N35 in Venezuelan waters are ongoing.