The Johor state division of Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Sunday (28 March) said its special operations ‘Ops Jangka Haram’ to crack down on foreign vessels anchoring illegally in eastern Johor waters has proved to be very effective four days into its commencement.
MMEA reported it detected 15 remaining vessels anchoring illegally in the Tompok Utara anchorage area compared to the 105 vessels discovered previously.
Johor Maritime Director Nurul Hizam Zakaria said so far, the patrol team has detained 13 vessels for anchoring without a permit but the team has decided to increase its efforts to evict vessels that stubbornly remain.
MMEA reported among the vessels it has detained are MT Nautica Kota Tinggi, MT Arista Leo, MT Jw Jewel, and MT Liberty, all of which are oil tankers.
As for the remaining vessels who “stubbornly” remain, MMEA said it intensified the level of vigilance by deploying the Special Task and Rescue Force (PTK) team to board said vessels via helicopter to perform surprise inspections.
MMEA added from now on it will reinforce its working relationship with the Malaysian Marine Department which is in charge of issuing various permits for these vessels to operate in Malaysian waters to optimise the safety of its borders and environment.
MMEA announced last Monday (22 March) it has discovered that 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.
Additionally, the Marine Department of Malaysia said it had detected a 6 km long oil spill in the area on Sunday (21 March) and suspects said vessels to be unlawfully releasing oil into the ocean and endangering the environment.
A video by MMEA documenting its special operations can be viewed here:
A series of earlier MMEA detentions have been reported by Manifold Times (below):
Related: Malaysia: MMEA launches special ops to evict 100 illegal vessels in eastern Johor
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Related: MMEA detains Panama flagged tanker for anchoring illegally in eastern Johor
Related: Malaysia: MMEA detains loaded oil tanker for allegedly anchoring illegally in Perak
Related: MMEA detains tanker ‘MT Tahiti’ in Malacca waters for anchoring without a permit
Related: MMEA detains St Kitts & Nevis registered tanker for anchoring illegally in eastern Johor
Related: MMEA detains Malaysia & Mongolia registered tankers for anchoring illegally in Johor
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Photo credit: MMEA
Published: 29 March, 2021
Program introduces periodic assessments, mass flow metering data analysis, and regular training for relevant key personnel to better handle the MFMS to ensure a high level of continuous operational competency.
U.S. Claims Register Summary recorded a total USD 833 million claim from a total 180 creditors against O.W. Bunker USA, according to the creditor list seen by Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.
Glencore purchased fuel through Straits Pinnacle which contracted supply from Unicious Energy. Contaminated HSFO was loaded at Khor Fakkan port and shipped to a FSU in Tanjong Pelepas, Malaysia to be further blended.
Individuals were employees of surveying companies engaged by Shell to inspect the volume of oil loaded onto the vessels which Shell supplied oil to; they allegedly accepted bribes totalling at least USD 213,000.
MPA preliminary investigations revealed that the affected marine fuel was supplied by Glencore Singapore Pte Ltd who later sold part of the same cargo to PetroChina International (Singapore) Pte Ltd.
‘MPA had immediately contacted the relevant bunker suppliers to take necessary steps to ensure that the relevant batch of fuel was no longer supplied. Further investigations are currently on-going,’ it informs.