MMEA detains two Malaysia-registered tankers for illegal STS oil transfer

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Thursday (9 November) said two ships suspected of conducting ship-to-ship (STS) oil transfer activities were detailed by Selangor State Maritime in Kapar waters on 5 November. 

Selangor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) deputy director (operations) Maritime Commander Mohd Sharenliza Ghazali said two ships were successfully apprehended at a position of approximately 0.7 nautical miles South West of Kapar at 12.15pm.

During an inspection, Malaysia-registered oil products tanker MT Tuah Sejagat was found to be transferring approximately 400,000 liters of diesel onto tanker MT Scorpio, also registered in Malaysia.

MMEA personnels also found MT Tuah Sejagat was crewed by six Indonesians aged between 29 to 35 while MT Scorpio had nine Indonesian crew members, one from Myanmar and two Malaysians; aged between 20 to 35.

MMEA said among the offenses committed is the failure to present any authorisation document for the STS oil transfer.

Two crew members of MT Tuah Sejagat and two crew members of MT Scorpio ship have been detained and taken to the Selangor State Maritime office for further investigation.

The case will be investigated under the Section 491B of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for illegal transfer of fuel and those found guilty can be fined not more than RM100,000. 

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 10 November, 2023