MMEA Launches New Operation to Prevent Fuel Theft at Sea

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Monday July 3, 2017

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) says an operation in the waters of Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, and Johor will begin Tuesday to counter fuel robberies at sea, Malaysian media reports.

The operation, known as "Ops Padu," comes in response to the recent robbery of a Thai tanker of 1.5 million litres of diesel in the waters off Pahang.

As Ship & Bunker reported, the stolen fuel is said to have been part of a total of 3.8 million litres of fuel that the vessel was ferrying from Songkla, Thailand to Singapore.

MMEA Director General, Admiral Datuk Zulkifli Abu Bakar, said the two-week operation will involve the deployment of personnel from the MMEA, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), and the Marine Police Force (PPM).

"The 'Ops Padu' will allow each enforcement asset to involve officers from other agencies. For example, if the assets of RMN are used, an officer of MMEA and a marine police officer will be assigned together during the operation," said Abu Bakar.