Malaysian Authorities Seize $129 Million Illegal Oil Tankers
Malaysia has seized two oil tankers suspected of carrying out an illegal ship-to-ship transfer involving crude oil valued at about $129 million, maritime authorities said on Saturday.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said the vessels were intercepted on Thursday while anchored off the northern coast near the port of Penang, following intelligence reports of suspicious activity in the area. The agency’s director, Muhammad Suffi Mohd Ramli, stated that officers who boarded the ships found them positioned side by side, an arrangement that raised concerns about an unauthorised crude transfer.
Preliminary Findings and Enforcement Action
Preliminary checks showed the tankers were filled with crude oil worth more than 512 million ringgit. Both vessels were subsequently seized, and their captains handed over to investigators for further action, Muhammad Suffi hinted. The authorities did not immediately disclose the names of the tankers or their ports of origin.
Crew Composition and Nationalities
The crews comprised 53 foreign nationals from China, Myanmar, Iran, Pakistan, and India. This development comes as Malaysia faces growing scrutiny in recent years over illicit oil transfers in its waters, particularly those linked to sanctions evasion.
Government Pledge for Enhanced Enforcement
Malaysia‘s government pledged last year to intensify enforcement and clamp down on illegal maritime activities within its jurisdiction. The country has been under pressure to strengthen its laws and regulations to prevent the use of its waters for illegal activities, such as oil smuggling and sanctions evasion.
Original Article: Malaysia Seizes $129 Million Illegal Oil Tankers — Newscentraltv