Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander told BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast the ship was designated a stateless vessel under international law.
“This ship is part of the shadow fleet that funds Russia’s war effort in Ukraine,” the minister said.
“As a UK government and as the United Kingdom, our national interest is served by avoiding the illegal fuelling of terrorism, of conflict and of misery, whether in Ukraine, the Middle East or anywhere else.
“So when we were asked by the United States to provide operation assistance, including basing an air surveillance support, we were absolutely willing to step up.
“I think it is right and reasonable we work with our allies to confront the attempt to sanction bust that we are witnessing from the Russians on a regular basis.”
The Scottish Greens accused the US government of “piracy at sea” on Wednesday, describing Donald Trump’s administration of “increasingly acting like a rogue state”.
Former party co-leader Patrick Harvie added on Thursday: “Obviously we support sanctions targeted at the Russian shadow fleet, but nobody seriously believes the Trump administration is motivated by a desire to enforce international law.
“Their seizure of assets is explicitly about self-interest, and is part of a deeply concerning pattern of behaviour.”