‘Ghost ship’ found adrift in Terrengganu may be linked to Johor tanker fire, says MMEA

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Friday (15 August) said it intercepted a “ghost ship” believed to be linked to the tanker which caught fire off Tanjung Sedili earlier this month. 

The unmanned vessel found drifting in the waters of Plateantar Semangkok A, Terengganu since 12 August has been successfully controlled in an integrated operation coordinated by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Malaysia Maritime).

Pahang MMEA director First Admiral (Maritime) Mazlan Mat Rejab said the ship was being towed to Kemaman Supply Base (KSB) for salvage operations.

According to him, Kuantan Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) received a report from MRSC Johor at 4.45pm on 12 August regarding the location of the vessel, which was about four nautical miles east of the platform.

“The vessel drifted past the oil rig area and posed a potential threat to the safety of other surrounding platforms,” he said.

Maritime First Admiral Haji Mazlan also informed that upon arriving at KSB, detailed checks will be carried out including investigation of the ship’s identity as well as determining if there are possible victims on board. 

According to MMEA’s website on 7 August, an Indonesian ship crew member died while four other crew members were injured when a fire broke out onboard a tanker, near the waters of east Johor on 6 August. 

At 9.30pm, Johor Bahru Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) received reports from fishermen passing through the area at 6pm who saw a tanker with the name MT 108 on fire at a position 36 nautical miles east of Tanjung Sedili Kechil.

The 42-year-old Indonesian man was taken to the Kota Tinggi Hospital for a post-mortem. Four other male victims, one local and the rest Indonesians aged between 31 and 49, were taken to the Sultan Ismail Hospital for further treatment.

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 18 August, 2025