The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Friday (4 July) said it detained a tanker carrying 62,000 litres of diesel without valid documentation off Port Klang on 3 July. 

Selangor MMEA director Maritime Captain Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh said the tanker was detained at about one nautical mile west of Tanjung Harapan at 1.30pm during a routine patrol in Selangor waters. 

Initial checks showed the tanker was operated by a 43-year-old Indonesia captain with a crew of six, aged between 21 and 51, who were also Indonesians. All of them had complete identification documents. 

However, the captain failed to present any documents permitting the transport of the diesel cargo which is a controlled item. 

With that, a detention order was issued for the tanker. Both the captain and second engineer were arrested and were brought to the marine police jetty in Pulau Indah for further investigation. 

The case will be investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for failure to provide a permit or special licences from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to possess, store or transport controlled goods.  

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 7 July, 2025

Veteran shipping and international trade lawyer Kelly Yap on Tuesday (1 July) launched Ming Law Asia LLC, a new law firm focused on commercial dispute resolution with a strong emphasis on shipping and international trade matters.

Previously Head of Litigation and China Practice at Oon & Bazul LLP, Yap brings over 25 years of experience advising and representing shipowners, charterers, P&I clubs, marine insurers, reinsurers, banks, and commodities trading houses in court proceedings, arbitrations, and mediations across a wide range of maritime and commercial disputes.

Following the collapse of Hin Leong Trading, Yap acted for various clients affected by vessel arrests involving deliveries made against letters of indemnity or fraudulent bills of lading. On the wet shipping side, he regularly receives instructions on ship collisions and other casualties which happen in or around Singapore waters.

The firm opens with a team of nine professionals and is well positioned to serve clients globally. Yap is joined by Gregory Toh, an up-and-coming shipping specialist, and Ray Shankar, who enhances the firm’s offering with a growing private wealth management practice. Shanker regularly advises ultra-high net worth individuals and families across Asia on succession planning, family governance, and philanthropic structures.

“Ming Law Asia is built on strong client relationships, commercial understanding, and practical advice,” said Yap. “We are committed to being responsive and delivering clear, effective solutions that support our clients’ objectives.”

Photo credit: Ming Law Asia
Published: 1 July, 2025

The High Court of the Republic of Singapore on 17 June received SGD 500,000 (USD 390,733) over the sale of the US-flagged tug Marianas Envoy, according to a Government Gazette post which was published on Tuesday (24 June). 

The notice said Marianas Envoy, formerly known as KST 34, was sold pursuant to an order of the High Court of Singapore in the admiralty action in Rem against the ship between ST Engineering Marine Ltd and the owner or demise charterer of the vessel, dated 30 May 2025.

“The order of priority of all claims against the proceeds of sale of the Vessel, Bunkers, and interest earned thereon, shall not be determined until after the expiration of ninety (90) days, beginning with the day on which the proceeds of sale are paid into court (the Moratorium Period),” it stated. 

“Any person having a claim against the ship or the proceeds of the sale thereof on which they intend to proceed to judgment should accordingly do so before the expiration of that period.”

Manifold Times previously reported the tug’s arrest in Singapore waters. According to the list of vessels under Sheriff’s arrest in Singapore’s court system at the time, the arresting solicitor listed was law firm Joseph Tan Jude Benny LLP.

According to the Sheriff’s Sale advertisement of the tug, the vessel was built in 1995 and noted that the net value of bunkers on board the vessel was considered to be “nil”.

Prior to Marianas Envoy, the last vessel sold pursuant to an order of the High Court of Singapore was the Liberia-flagged livestock carrier Yangtze Harmony in 2023. 

Yangtze Harmony was the centre of piling bunker claims with Glander International Bunkering (Norway) AS, through its Singapore group company Glander International Bunkering Pte. Ltd., seeking payment of USD 115,963.52 (not including contractual compensation and interests) from the vessel’s demise charterer.

Related: Singapore: US-flagged tug “Marianas Envoy” placed under Sheriff’s arrest
Related: Singapore: “Yangtze Harmony” auctioned for SGD 4.8 million in admiralty action

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 25 June, 2025