Indonesia seizes Iran-flagged supertanker for illegal oil transshipment, AIS manipulation

The Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) on Tuesday (11 July) said they have seized an Iran-flagged supertanker suspected of being involved in an illegal transshipment of crude oil in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). 

Head of Bakamla, Aan Kurnia, in a statement, said MT Arman 114, carrying 272,569 metric tonnes of light crude oil, and Cameroon-flagged MT S Tinos were suspected of carrying out the transshipment activity on 7 July.

After receiving information, Indonesia authorities arrived at the location when they approached the two ships. Both vessels did not respond to communications from authorities and tried to flee with the hose still connected to the ships towards Malaysian waters. 

After conducting an initial investigation of MT Arman 114, the ship was found carrying an Egyptian national captain, 28 crew members who were Syrian nationals, and three passengers. 

Kurnia said MT Arman 114 was facing several violations including turning off the Automatic Identification System (AIS), manipulated data that it was located in the Red Sea when it was in Indonesia’s EEZ, anchoring illegally, not displaying the ship’s flag, the illegal transfer of fuel and spilling oil. 

Photo credit: Indonesian Maritime Security Agency
Published: 14 July, 2023