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

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

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Friday (24 July) seized a tanker anchoring without permission in Selangor waters during an enforcement operation carried out on 23 July.

Selangor MMEA director Maritime Capt Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh said the tanker was seized at around 3.35 pm about 8.8 nautical miles southwest of Sekinchan during a routine patrol.

“The investigation revealed that the tanker was operated by a 60-year-old Vietnamese captain along with 13 crew members, consisting of 12 Vietnamese and one Myanmar national aged between 20 and 51 years. All of them were found to have valid travel documents,” he said.

The ship’s captain failed to produce any document authorising anchoring and is suspected of committing offence under Section 491B (1)(L) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952. 

A detention order was issued for the tanker, while the captain and the chief engineer were brought to the Selangor MMEA headquarters to assist in further investigations. 

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 28 July, 2026