Perak Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Tuesday (18 March) detained a Singapore-flagged bulk carrier for anchoring without permission about 13 nautical miles northwest of Pulau Jarak at 3.30pm on 17 March. 

Perak MMEA director Maritime Capt Mohamad Shukri Khotob said the vessel, Queen Harmony, was operated by an Egyptian captain along with one Russian, two Ukrainians and 17 Filipino crew members. 

Further investigation found that the ship failed to present any documents for permission to anchor and did not report their arrival in Malaysian waters.

The case is being investigated under 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. It is also being investigated for the offence of failing to report its arrival, which carries a fine of up to MYR 5,000. 

Two crew members of the ship were taken to the Perak State Maritime Headquarters for further investigation.

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 20 March, 2025

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