The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Friday (28 February) detained a tanker vessel for anchoring without permission about 1.0 nautical miles southwest of Klebang. 

Melaka and Negri Sembilan MMEA deputy operation director, Maritime Commander Norrimi Hassan said the ship was spotted around 12.30am on 27 February.

“Further investigations found that the ship’s crew log book was expired. Following that, the ship was detained around 1am,” he said. 

He said the captain and chief engineer, both Indonesians, were taken to its MMEA jetty for questioning.

The case is being investigated under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952.

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 4 March, 2025

The Maritime Administration Department of Guyana on Tuesday (14 January) said chemical tanker Four Plus, bearing IMO No. 9203930, which was recently detained by Venezuelan authorities for unauthorised entry into that State’s waters was falsely flying the Guyana flag. 

The department said the vessel is not registered in Guyana; therefore, it is not authorised to fly the Guyana flag or claim Guyanese nationality.

“MARAD wishes to remind stakeholders and the public that it operates a closed Ships’ Registry and does not offer a flag of convenience,” it said in a social media post. 

It added that recent media reports highlighted the sanctioning of five oil tankers linked to a Syrian conglomerate with ties to Iran and Venezuela by the United States Treasury Department. These vessels also bore false registration documents.

“The issues of fraudulently registered vessels and the operation of a global shadow fleet remain on the radar of the global maritime community,” it added.

“The IMO at the 112th Session of its Legal Committee, scheduled for March this year, is expected to further develop measures to prevent these unlawful practices.”

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Peter Beentjes
Published: 20 January, 2025

Selangor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Wednesday (1 January) detained a cargo ship for anchoring without permission about 26 nautical miles southwest of Sekinchan at 1.40pm on 31 December.

Selangor MMEA director Maritime Captain Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh said the ship was detected on the Malaysian Maritime Sea Surveillance System (Swasla) in Klang and was detained by a MMEA patrol boat during an operation at Selangor waters. 

The vessel was believed to have been travelling from Singapore to India with 22 male crew members onboard including a captain. 

All crew members were Chinese nationals and aged between 28 and 63, who held valid identification documents. 

Further investigation found that the ship's captain failed to submit any authorisation document of to anchor in Malaysian waters.

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 two crew members have been taken to the Selangor State Maritime Headquarters for further investigation.

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 3 January, 2025