Malaysian Authorities Seize $129.9 Million in Crude Oil from Suspected Illegal Tankers
Malaysian authorities have seized over 512 million ringgit ($129.9 million) worth of crude oil from two tankers suspected of illegally transferring oil at sea. The vessels, detained 24 nautical miles west of Muka Head, Penang, were found to be carrying 53 crew members from China, Burma, Iran, Pakistan, and India.
According to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), the agency received a complaint at around 1 a.m. local time on Thursday regarding the two tankers, which were anchored in a coupled position and suspected of engaging in transfer activities. Upon inspection, the MMEA found that the vessels had not obtained permission to anchor and were likely involved in illegal ship-to-ship transfers.
The seized oil is valued at over 512 million ringgit, with the total value of the tankers themselves estimated at 718 million ringgit. The two captains of the ships have been arrested and handed over to Penang state maritime investigation officials for further questioning.
Investigation Underway
The MMEA has launched an investigation into the activities of the two tankers, which are suspected of violating Malaysian regulations regarding anchoring and ship-to-ship transfers. The agency has also charged the vessels with carrying out illegal transfer activities, which carries a penalty of 200,000 ringgit per vessel.
Maritime Captain Muhammad Suffi Mohd Ramli stated that the investigation is ongoing and that the MMEA will work to determine the origin of the oil being transferred. The captain added that the tankers are also facing charges for anchoring without permission, which carries a penalty of 100,000 ringgit.
Background on Illegal Ship-to-Ship Transfers
The waters off Malaysia have long been known as a hub for illegal ship-to-ship transfers, where oil is shifted between tankers at sea to obscure its origin. In July last year, Malaysian authorities announced plans to more tightly enforce rules around the practice, which has been linked to environmental and economic concerns.
The MMEA’s actions are seen as a significant step in cracking down on illegal activities in the region and ensuring that Malaysia complies with international regulations regarding oil transfers. The agency’s efforts have also been praised by industry experts, who note that the seizure of the oil and vessels is a strong deterrent against future violations.
Original Article: Malaysia seizes $129.9 million in crude oil from tankers suspected of illegally transferring oil | Reuters — Reuters