Legal

Malaysia: Government losing out on millions in revenue from unpaid anchorage fees

‘From the 105 illegal vessels detected last week, the government is missing out on MYR 1.05 million in revenue from this week alone,’ said Marine Department Director.

Published

3 years ago

March 29, 2021

Admin

The Malaysia Marine Department Southern Region said the Malaysian government has been losing out on millions of ringgit daily from anchorage fees from foreign vessels over the past five years, reports Berita Harian.

Marine Department Southern Region Director Dickson Dollah explained that the number of foreign vessels anchoring in the Tompok Utara anchorage area has increased exponentially compared to the number of vessels anchoring at ports.

Instead of going to port, many of these foreign vessels choose to anchor 12 nautical miles outside of national borders, just outside of the Maritime Department’s realm of jurisdiction.

“According to law, foreign vessels are not permitted to anchor even outside of Malaysian waters without any documentation for safety reasons,” added Director Dollah.

Anchorage fees are calculated by the vessel’s tonnage, as outlined in the Federation Light Dues Act 1953 and vessels are charged MYR 0.2 (USD 0.048) per ton.

“On average vessels pay around MYR 10,000 (USD 2,412) to anchor for about three to five days,” explained Director Dollah.

“Which means that from the 105 illegal vessels we detected last week, the government is missing out on MYR 1.05 million in revenue from this week alone.”

Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) announced last Monday (22 March) it has discovered waters east of Johor has become a “hotspot” for foreign vessels to anchor illegally and conduct unlawful activities such as illegally releasing oil into the ocean.

The Marine Department notes the illegal vessels also pose a threat to the environment as the coastline along Kota Tinggi to Mersing is known for its natural beauty and richness in aquatic life.

Since the Marine Department detected a 6 km long oil spill in the area on Sunday (21 March), both agencies fear the said vessels are releasing oil into the ocean which would endanger the environment and the livelihood of the fishermen and those in the tourism industry.

Additionally, both agencies suspect these vessels of conducting illegal transactions such as drug and human trafficking which poses as a security threat to the country.

Director Dickson Dollah added that the Malaysian Marine Department and the MMEA do not possess sufficient assets and man power to keep up constant vigilance on patrolling borders but the two agencies will now work together to leverage their assets and increase security.

A series of earlier MMEA detentions have been reported by Manifold Times (below):

Photo credit: MMEA
Published: 29 March, 2021

Business

Liberia-flagged bulker “Eleen Armonia” placed under Sheriff’s arrest

Ship was added to list of vessels under Sheriff’s arrest in Singapore’s court system and it is currently held at Eastern Bunkering Anchorage; arrest was made on behalf of Allen & Gledhill LLP.

Published

3 days ago

December 7, 2023

Admin

Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Eleen Armonia was arrested in Singapore waters on Monday (4 December).

The 55,522 DWT vessel was added to the list of vessels under Sheriff’s arrest in Singapore’s court system.

According to the list, the vessel was arrested at 12.25pm and the arresting solicitor listed was law firm Allen & Gledhill LLP. The ship is currently held at the Eastern Bunkering Anchorage.

No details regarding the reason behind the arrest were provided in the list.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 7 December, 2023

Crime

Malaysia: MMEA detains three vessels for illegal anchoring in East Johor waters

Vessels, including those registered in Barbados and Copenhagen, were detained on 4 December and captains of ships had failed to present any document of authorisation to anchor in Malaysian waters.

Published

4 days ago

December 6, 2023

Admin

Malaysia: MMEA detains three vessels for illegal anchoring in East Johor waters

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Tuesday (5 December) said three vessels have been detained for illegally anchoring in East Johor waters on 4 December.

MMEA Tanjung Sedili Zone acting director Maritime Cmdr Mohd Najib Sam said the first ship, registered in Port Klang, was detained by a patrol boat at 11.30 am at 19.8 nautical miles east of Tanjung Sedili Kechil.

The second ship, registered at Bridgetown in Barbados, anchored at 11.30am at 18.1 nautical miles northeast of Tanjung Penawar.

And the third ship, registered at Copenhagen, was detained by a MMEA patrol vessel at 5.30pm at 21.5 nautical miles east of Tanjung Balau.

Najib said all captains of the ships had failed to present any document of authorisation to anchor in Malaysian waters and the case will be investigated under Section 491B(1)(L) Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952.

He added that the detention of all three ships has brought the total number of ships detained for the same offence so far this year to 86.

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 6 December, 2023

Winding up

Singapore: Annual general meetings set for Hua Sheng Shipping Pte Ltd

Creditors to receive an update on the liquidation of the firms, and to receive an account of the liquidators’ acts and dealings, and of the conduct of winding up.

Published

6 days ago

December 4, 2023

Admin

An annual general meeting for Hua Sheng Shipping Pte Ltd will be held via electronic means on 14 December 2023, according to a notice on the Government Gazette on Thursday (30 November).

The agenda of the meetings for the creditors (2pm) and contributories (11am) for the following purposes:

To receive an update on the liquidation.
To receive an account of the Liquidators’ acts and dealings, and of the conduct of the winding up

The following are the details of the liquidator of the company:

Ho May Kee
Liquidator
c/o 8 Marina View
#40-04/05 Asia Square Tower 1
Singapore 018960

Manifold Times previously reported several notices were published on the Goverment Gazette regarding the annual general meetings held electronically for Hua Sheng Shipping Pte Ltd, Nan Zhou Maritime (Pte) Ltd and Xin Sheng Shipping (Pte) Ltd.

Photo credit: Benjamin child
Published: 4 December, 2023