The shipping industry is noticing a significant shift: more oil tankers are now bypassing Venezuelan ports. What's driving this? The US has escalated its stance by threatening to seize any vessels caught transporting Venezuelan crude—a key revenue stream for the Maduro government. This move adds another layer to existing sanctions and is already reshaping global energy trade routes. For traders watching commodity markets, this kind of geopolitical friction often sends ripples through prices. When major oil-producing regions face export restrictions, it can trigger broader market volatility that extends beyond just energy into other asset classes. The shipping community is essentially making a cost-benefit calculation: the risk of vessel seizure simply isn't worth the profit margins on these routes anymore.