Penang Vessel Detained In Johor For Transferring Fuel Illegally Into A Panama Vessel

Four vessels were reportedly detained in the state’s eastern waters yesterday, with two being booked for illegal fuel transfer.

MMEA reported that the ship captains and the vessels had been taken to Tanjung Sedili Besar for a detailed examination.

Approximately 7,000 metric tons of fuel valued at about RM24.5 million was seized from the first two vessels detained for illegal fuel transfer.

One of the vessels was registered in Penang, whereas the remaining three were registered in Panama, Australia, Douglas, and Zanzibar.

Transferring Fuel Illegally — Image for representation purposes only.

Johor MMEA director First Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria mentioned that the patrolling officers had detained the vessels registered in Panama and Penang on 10 January sometime between 10.50 am and 11.30 am.

The oil tankers had been detained on suspicion of illegally transferring oil 32 nm to the east of Tanjung Sedili Besar.

The vessel registered in Penang was manned by ten crew members, including Malaysians, Myanmar nationals, and Indonesians. In comparison, the ship from Panama that was booked for illegally anchoring in state waters was manned by 18 members of the crew comprising Pakistanis and Indians.

In the meantime, a merchant’s vessel was also detained at 11.9 nm east of Tanjung Siang close to 11.40 am for anchoring illegally in the state waters.

The vessel is registered in Australia’s Douglas and was manned by 22 nationals from the Philippines, reportedly aged between 25 and 67.

The last vessel detained on 10 January involved a tanker about 12 nm toward the east of Tanjung Balau.

The ship was reportedly detained unlawfully at around 4.15 pm for anchoring in the state waters. The tank is registered in Zanzibar. It was operated by five crew members from Indonesia aged between 26 and 60.

The two vessels are now being investigated per Section 491B(1)(L) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for unlawful anchoring.

For 2021, under illegal anchoring ops, the state MMEA reportedly made about 98 busts that involved compounds worth almost RM 2,981,000.

For 2022, the agency has made 74 busts involving compounds worth RM1, 843,000.

A cargo vessel registered with Malaysia with three local and two Indonesian crew members on it has gone missing in Indonesia, reports the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).

Johor MMEA’s director Nurul Hizam Zakaria, the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC), Johor Bahru, reportedly received inputs from MRSC Langkawi yesterday regarding the missing cargo vessel named MV Dai Cat 06. The ship was loaded with iron pipes.

References: Malay Mail, NST, The Star