MMEA detains two vessels for avoiding tax

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Tanjung Sedili  division has detained two vessels off Tanjung Setapa, Johor, after the crew failed to produce documents from the Customs Department or any tax payment-related proof.

Tanjung Sedili maritime director, Maritime Commander Mohd Zulfadli Nayan said its patrol team spotted the two vessels 2.5km southwest of Tanjung Setapa at 12.15am local time Wednesday, in what was suspected to be a ship-to-ship transfer following a public tip-off.

Vessel operators  were suspected of conducting the STS transfer to avoid paying taxes in the waters of Pasir Gudang port, and this was confirmed when the crew failed to furnish relevant tax and customs documents, the MMEA said on its Facebook page.

Trade sources said the receiving vessel was a LNG tanker, the Seri Amanah, and the vessel delivering the bunker fuel was the MT Rahmat.

Checks on shipping databases showed the 83,400-dwt Seri Amanah’s registered owner is MISC Berhad, a Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange-listed company, while the 1,873-dwt bunker tanker MT Rahmat is registered under Sirius Marine Sdn. Bhd.

Both vessels are at Johor General Purpose Anchorage.  The Seri Amanah was destined for Bintulu, East Malaysia, according to marine traffic databases.

The case is being investigated under Customs Act 1967 and Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952.   If found guilty, the vessel owners and, or operators could be fined two times the cargo value, MMEA said.

Photo credit: MMEA
Published: 14 September, 2018