Labuan MMEA busts illegal oil transfer between two offshore vessels

LABUAN – The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained two offshore supply vessels today believed to be involved in illegal ship-to-ship oil transfer activities in Labuan waters.

A patrol boat detected the two vessels, which were positioned suspiciously close to one another, about one nautical mile from Labuan at 3am.

Labuan MMEA director Nudin Jusoh said the captain and crew of both vessels – five Malaysians and an Indonesian national – aged between 30 and 50, were transported to the Labuan Maritime Zone for further investigation.

“When our team approached the two vessels for checks, they found that the illegal transfer of oil was in progress…it was discovered that the vessels do not have valid documents that permit them to conduct ship-to-ship oil transfer,” he said.

He said the case would be investigated under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, which carries a fine of not more than RM100,000, or two years of imprisonment, or both if convicted. – Bernama, December 30, 2022