Legal

Malaysia: MMEA launches special ops to evict 100 illegal vessels in eastern Johor

Special ops will be conducted using helicopters to communicate with any illegal foreign vessels; targets will then have four hours to remove itself from Malaysian waters.

Published

4 years ago

March 26, 2021

Admin

The Johor state division of Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Thursday (25 March) reportedly launched a 10-day operation known as ‘Ops Jangka Haram’ to crack down on foreign vessels anchoring illegally in eastern Johor waters.

This comes following the MMEA announcement last week that eastern Johor waters has become a “hotspot” for foreign vessels to anchor illegally and conduct unlawful activities.

The Marine Department of Malaysia had also reported it had detected about 100 foreign vessels anchoring illegally in the Tompok Utara anchorage area, about 12 kilometres from Sedili Kecil beach last week.

At a press conference, MMEA Director-General Maritime Admiral Datuk Mohd Zubil Mat Som said the MMEA viewed the matter seriously as it involves cargo vessels, tankers, and passenger ships.

It is believed these vessels are experiencing a slowdown in business due to economic repercussions from Covid-19 and anchored illegally in the area as a way to minimise costs.

“For the ships to move from one point to another or even get close to the jetty, it will involve costs,” explained Maritime Admiral Datuk Mohd Zubil.

“So, the easier way out is to just lower their anchor at any location. But if they anchored at an unauthorised place, they will disrupt the shipping route which could cause accidents.”

The MMEA said its clamp down will be conducted using helicopters to communicate with any illegal foreign vessels in the area and the vessel will then have four hours to remove itself from Malaysian waters.

If any vessel fails to comply, the Special Task and Rescue Force (PTK) team will be deployed to detain the vessel for further legal action.

Maritime Admiral Datuk Mohd Zubil added that beginning Friday, 26 March, the usual compound for anchoring illegally will no longer be issued and regulations from the special operations will apply, which means the case could be brought directly to court if the vessel is not removed within the stipulated time frame.

“While these vessels anchoring illegally obstruct shipping lanes and could cause accidents, we are more concerned about them dumping oil and waste into Malaysian waters,” said Maritime Admiral Datuk Mohd Zubil.

“We also suspect that they conduct unlawful activities such as drug and human trafficking which is a serious threat.”

MMEA said the operations will last for 10 days with a focus on the three identified hotspots: the Tompok Utara anchorage area, Eastern Bank (Permatang Timur) and the Ramunia Shoal.

A video of the commencement of the operations by Berita Harian is available below:

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

Photo credit: Berita Harian Online
Published: 26 March, 2021

Vessel Arrest

Malaysia: MMEA detains Panama-registered container ship for illegal anchoring

Ship, which had 20 male Chinese nationals onboard including a Captain, was detained about 29 nautical miles southwest of Tanjung Karang at 1.40pm.

Published

11 hours ago

December 9, 2024

Admin

Malaysia: MMEA detains Panama-registered container ship for illegal anchoring

Selangor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Saturday (7 December) detained a container ship for anchoring without permission about 29 nautical miles southwest of Tanjung Karang at 1.40pm.

Selangor MMEA director Maritime Captain Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh said the arrest was a result of information from Area Control Centre (ACC) SWASLA Klang which traced the position of the ship.

Malaysia: MMEA detains Panama-registered container ship for illegal anchoring

Acting on information from the Maritime Department of the Central Region (JLWT) that the ship did not have clearance to anchor, a MMEA patrol boat intercepted the container ship.

The ship is said to be registered in Panama with 20 male crew onboard including a Captain, aged between 30 and 59. All of them were Chinese nationals with valid identification documents.

Malaysia: MMEA detains Panama-registered container ship for illegal anchoring

Further examination of the documents found that the ship's captain failed to present any documents for permission to anchor.

The case is being investigated under Section 491B (1) (l) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, which carries a fine of not more than MYR 100,000 or a jail term of not more than two years, or both, for anchoring without permission.

An arrest warrant on the vessel was issued and the captain and a crew of the vessel have been taken to the Selangor State Maritime Headquarters for further investigation.

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 9 December, 2024

Legal

Vietnam: Two vessels seized over 31,000 litres of illegal diesel oil

Vietnam Coast Guard said vessels were transporting various quantities of oil material: “HP-3790” was transporting about 16,000 litres and “Phuong Nam 68” transported about 15,000 liters.

Published

11 hours ago

December 9, 2024

Admin

The Vietnam Coast Guard on Thursday (5 December) said it detained vessel HP-3790 in the sea bordering Hai Phong City and Quang Ninh Province.

The Coast Guard discovered the ship at 2pm on 4 December displaying several suspicious signs and ordered the vessel to stop for administrative inspections.

The authority proceeded to inspect the vessel, which had three crew members on board, and found it to be transporting about 16,000 litres of diesel oil with no invoices or documents proving its legal origin.

HP 3790

The Coast Guard also detained another ship, Phuong Nam 68, that also had three crew members on board at 10am on 5 December.

The ship was transporting about 15,000 liters of DO oil with no invoices or documents proving its legal origin.

As such, the ships were handed over to the Command of Coast Guard Region 1 for further investigation and handling in accordance with the provisions of law.

Photo credit: Vietnam Coast Guard
Published: 9 December, 2024

Winding up

Singapore: JITF Shipping and Logistics to undergo voluntary wind up

A liquidator has been appointed at an extraordinary general meeting held on 25 November for the purpose of winding up company’s affair, according to Government Gazette notice.

Published

5 days ago

December 4, 2024

Admin

A notice in the Government Gazette was published by the Director of JITF Shipping and Logistics (Singapore) Pte Ltd on Monday (2 December), regarding a Special Resolution that was passed in relation to the winding up of the company.

The following resolution was duly passed during an an Extraordinary General Meeting of the company convened and held on 25 November 2024:

That it has been proved to the satisfaction of the meeting that the Company cannot by reason of its liabilities continue its business and accordingly the Company be wound up voluntarily and that Ms Chan Li Shan c/o Agile 8 Solutions Pte. Ltd., 133 Cecil Street #14-01 Keck Seng Tower Singapore 069535 be and is hereby appointed liquidator for the purpose of winding up the affairs of the Company.

According to SGP Business website, JITF Shipping and Logistics’s principal activity is shipping, including chartering of ships and boats with crew.

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
Published: 4 December, 2024