Two vessels detained, seized cargo valued at RM260 million

Malaysia’s maritime authorities detained two vessels early in the morning after receiving information about suspicious activity near Tanjung Buai in Kota Tinggi.

The Maritime Enforcement Agency said a patrol boat stopped the vessels at 3:20 a.m., about 1.4 nautical miles northwest of Tanjung Buai. Inspectors identified them as a tugboat and a dredger, both registered in Malaysia, and suspected them of conducting ship-to-ship operations without authorization.

The tugboat carried five crew members, including its master. The crew consisted of Malaysian and Indonesian nationals aged between 26 and 58. The dredger had 13 crew members, all Malaysian nationals, aged between 22 and 51.

“

The tugboat was operated by five crew members, including the master, who were Malaysian and Indonesian nationals aged between 26 and 58.

Further checks found an oil cargo believed to lack documents related to ownership and delivery. Authorities detained both vessels and the cargo for further investigation. They estimated the total value of the seizure, including the vessels and oil, at RM260 million.

The case is being investigated under provisions of Malaysia’s Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 concerning unauthorized ship-to-ship activity and anchoring without permission from the director of Marine Malaysia, as well as under the Customs Act 1967.

“

Meanwhile, the dredger was operated by 13 crew members, including the master, all of whom were Malaysian nationals aged between 22 and 51.