SINGAPORE: Two tankers suspected of unlawful ship-to-ship oil transfers have been detained and greater than RM512 million (US$129.9 million) value of crude oil seized 24 nautical miles west of Muka Head, Penang final week, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Company mentioned on Saturday (Jan 31).
The company didn’t specify the origin of the oil being transferred.
The waters off Malaysia are often called an everyday website for unlawful ship-to-ship transfers, the place oil is shifted between tankers at sea to obscure its origin.
Malaysian authorities mentioned in July final 12 months they’d extra tightly implement guidelines across the apply.
The seized tankers, value RM718 million, have been carrying 53 Chinese language, Burmese, Iranian, Pakistani and Indian crew members.
The 2 captains of the ships have been arrested and handed over to Penang state maritime investigation officers, the company mentioned.
Maritime Captain Muhammad Suffi Mohd Ramli mentioned the tankers at anchor have been inspected after a patrol boat obtained a criticism at about 1am native time on Thursday. The ships have been present in a coupled place and suspected of finishing up switch actions.
The captain added that the tankers are being investigated for anchoring with out permission, which carries a penalty of RM100,000, and finishing up unlawful ship-to-ship switch actions, which carries a penalty of RM200,000 per vessel.
