Asia/Pacific News
3 Ships Caught Illegally Transferring Bunkers In Malaysia
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Sunday apprehended three vessels suspected of illegally transferring bunkers ship-to ship-in Malaysian waters, local media reports.
The ships were caught in the act of transferring what is believed to be marine fuel oil without any permits or documentation to do so, according to District 7 Tanjung Sedili enforcement chief, Captain Amran Daud.
The enforcement chief also said that the vessels had committed other offences including failing to notify of their arrival in Malaysian waters, and anchoring in a restricted area.
The vessels involved were the San Lorenzo registered Mt Atami Maru, Kuching registered TB Macallan, and Indonesia registered TB LL Lamborghini, Malaysian officials said.
The incident occurred along the waters of Pengerang, 3.8 nautical miles off Teluk Ramunia, officials added.
Officials said that two crew members from each ship had been taken to the district maritime office to assist in the investigation.
They added that a total of 33 people have been picked up in relation to the vessels, including three Malaysians, 16 Thais, 10 Indonesians, and four Burmese.
If found guilty, these offenders could be fined RM100,000 (US $23,350) or given maximum imprisonment of two years.
In September Ship & Bunker reported that MMEA detailed two foreign-flagged in Pengerang waters for illegally transferring fuel oil.
