Connect with us

Vessel Arrest

Malaysia: MMEA detains tanker with 20 Chinese nationals onboard in Penang waters

Captain refused to cooperate by not providing key documents pertaining to the vessel during inspection while some crew members initially refused to allow enforcement officers to return to their patrol boat.

Admin

Published

11 months ago

on

Malaysia: MMEA detains tanker with 20 Chinese crew members onboard in Penang waters

The Penang Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Wednesday (8 October) said it detained a Panama-registered tanker for anchoring without permission in state waters.

The vessel was detained about 14.3 nautical miles northwest of Muka Head by a patrol boat at about 11.30am on 7 October. 

Penang MMEA Director Captain Muhammad Suffi Mohd Ramli said the tanker, carrying gasoline, was manned by 20 Chinese nationals. All had valid identification documents with them. 

“Howeverm further inspection found that the ship does not have permission to anchor from the Malaysian Marine Department director, as required by maritime law,” he said. 

Suffi said the tanker’s captain refused to cooperate with the enforcement team by not providing important documents pertaining to the vessel during inspection while some crew members initially refused to allow enforcement officers to return to their patrol boat after the inspection. 

However, after some negotiations and further explanation, the enforcement officers were eventually allowed to return to their patrol boat. 

The case is now being investigated under Section 491B(1) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for anchoring without permission and Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing public servants from performing their duties. 

 

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 9 October, 2025

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Vessel Arrest

Malaysia: MMEA detains two vessels over suspected illegal ship-to-ship transfer off Johor

Other than the vessels, MMEA also seized a cargo of oil, bringing the total value of the seizure to MYR 260 million (USD 61.9 million).
Admin

Published

3 days ago

on

September 3, 2026

By

Malaysia: MMEA detains two vessels over suspected illegal ship-to-ship transfer off Johor

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained tugboat and dredger suspected of conducting an unauthorised ship-to-ship (STS) transfer in Malaysian waters.

The two Malaysian-registered vessels were detained at around 3.20am on Wednesday by an MMEA patrol boat after the agency received public information about two suspicious vessels seen operating alongside each other about 1.4 nautical miles northwest of Tanjung Buai.

MMEA Tanjung Sedili Zone Acting Director Maritime Commander Mohd Najib Sam said further inspection found that the tugboat was operated by five crew members, including its skipper, comprising Malaysian and Indonesian nationals aged between 26 and 58.

The dredger was operated by 13 crew members, including its skipper, all Malaysian nationals aged between 22 and 51.

“Further inspection also found a quantity of oil cargo believed to be without any documents relating to ownership and delivery,” Najib said.

Both vessels and the oil cargo have been seized for further investigation. The total value of the seizure, including the two vessels and the oil cargo, is estimated at MYR 260 million (USD 64 million).

The case is being investigated under Section 491B(1)(K) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952 for allegedly conducting ship-to-ship activities without authorisation from the Malaysian Director of Marine.

The vessels are also being investigated under Section 491B(1)(L) of the MSO 1952 for allegedly anchoring without permission, as well as under the Customs Act 1967 in connection with the oil cargo suspected of lacking the required documentation.

 

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 3 September, 2026

Continue Reading

Vessel Arrest

Singapore-flagged tugboat “Kim Heng 3203” placed under Sheriff’s arrest

Vessel was arrested at 4.50pm on 24 August is currently at Kim Heng Marine & Oilfield Pte Ltd; arresting solicitor listed was law firm Resource Law LLC.
Admin

Published

1 week ago

on

August 27, 2026

By

Singapore-flagged tugboat “Kim Heng 3203” placed under Sheriff’s arrest

Singapore-flagged tugboat Kim Heng 3203 was arrested in Singapore waters on Monday (24 August).

The 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 4.50pm and the arresting solicitor listed was law firm Resource Law LLC. The ship is currently held at Kim Heng Marine & Oilfield Pte Ltd. 

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

 

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Ye Chia-WEi
Published: 27 August, 2026

Continue Reading

Vessel Arrest

Singapore: Liberia-flagged bulk carrier “Pantazis L” placed under Sheriff’s arrest

Vessel was arrested at 9.27pm on 23 July and the arresting solicitor listed was law firm Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP.

Admin

Published

1 month ago

on

July 28, 2026

By

Singapore: Liberia-flagged bulk carrier “Pantazis L” placed under Sheriff’s arrest

Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Pantazis L was arrested in Singapore waters on Thursday (23 July).

The 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 9.27pm and the arresting solicitor listed was law firm Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP. The ship is currently held at Eastern Special Purpose Anchorage A – Grid 5717D. 

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

 

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Owen Pereira
Published: 28 July, 2026

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS



Trending