Asia/Pacific News
Top 5 Singapore Bunker Supplier's Vessel Detained on Suspicion of Illegal Bunkering
Top five Singapore bunker supplier Sentek Marine & Trading Pte Ltd (Sentek) has had one of its bunkering vessels detained by Malaysian authorities on suspicion of illegal bunkering, local media reports.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA)'s Captain Amran Daud said Sentek's bunkering vessel Sentek 26 was spotted around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, 3.5 nautical miles south-east of Tanjung Penyusop, transferring low-sulfur gas oil (LSGO) to the heavy lift and pipelaying vessel MT Global 1201.
"Initial investigation showed both vessels failed to produce any permit or documents relating to the oil transferring activities," said Daud.
Port Villa, Vanuatu-registered MT Global 1201 was also detained.
Singapore-registered MT Santek is reported to have had nine crew onboard at the time, including one Singaporean, two Filipinos, and seven Indonesians, while the Port Villa-registered MT Global had 91 crew.
If found guilty, the owners of the vessels could face fines of up to RM100,000 ($24,638) and/or two years in prison, local media notes.
Sentek told Ship & Bunker it had no comment to make on the matter.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) ranked Sentek as the third largest supplier by volume in Singapore for 2015, having ranked second in 2014, 2013, and 2012, and fifth in 2011.
In what looks like a busy Sunday for the MMEA, in a separate case, the Basseterre-registered tanker MT Maju 8 was also detained, along with its 10 crew, at around 1:15 p.m. about three nautical miles south of Teluk Ramunia.
Reports suggest crew failed to produce vessel insurance documents for MMEA patrol staff.
