UPDATE (2 October, 2018): Local Malaysian news revealed the vessels involved in an alleged illegal fuel oil transfer to be Singapore-registered Kantek 2 and Malaysia-registered Ramai Awana.
The 2008 built Kantek 2 (IMO 9450222) is a 6,200 dwt products tanker owned and operated by Singapore bunker supplier Sentek Marine & Trading Pte, according to a shipping database.
The 1976 built Ramai Awana (IMO 7620835) is a 2,120 dwt products tanker operated by Dutaryo Overseas Trading Corp, shows the similar database.
The original story is below:
The Tanjung Sedili branch of Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Thursday (27 September, 2018) arrested two oil tankers over an alleged illegal ship to ship (STS) fuel oil transfer operation in waters off Pengerang at noon.
The vessels were spotted by MMEA patrol boats as part of Operation Redback XI, a week-long patrol jointly held with the Australian Border Force to combat maritime security threats from September 24, said Mohd Zulfadli Bin Nayan, Director of the MMEA Tanjung Sedili branch.
He explained crew from the oil tankers failed to obtain a permit and authorisation from the Director of Marine Malaysia in Pengerang waters for the STS operation; the vessels also failed to show any ship insurance documents.
The MMEA report noted 14 Singaporean crew aged between 28 and 50 years old arrested from an unidentified oil tanker, while another nine Singaporean crew members aged between 27 and 55 years old were found on board the other Malaysia-registered tanker.
The vessels are believed to be transferring Marine Fuel Oil (MFO).
The case will be investigated in accordance with Malaysia’s Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, Section 49 1B (1) (k) which prohibits the transfer of the oil without the authorisation of the Director of Marine Malaysia and Section 49 1B (1) (l).
If found guilty, the suspects face a fine of up to RM 100,000, imprisonment of two years, or both.
Four crew members have been taken to MMEA’s Tanjung Sedili office for further investigation, said Nayan.
Photo credit: Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 1 October, 2018
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