BUTTERWORTH: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) of Penang has detained two oil tankers suspected of conducting unauthorised ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering activities, along with 22 crew members, in an operation in the Bagan Ajam waters.
Its Penang director Kapt Muhammad Sufi Mohd Ramli said this followed intelligence received regarding the suspicious activities of two ships anchored at the location.
He said an integrated operation was mobilised with the Penang Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry before an MMEA patrol boat was dispatched to carry out an inspection on Saturday.
“Checks revealed that both tankers were suspected of carrying out bunkering activities without a permit.
“Further inspection found that it involved the transfer of Euro 5 diesel with an estimated amount of 700,000 litres, while the total amount of fuel seized was estimated to reach 800,000 litres,” he said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported.
Kapt Muhammad Sufi said the operation also led to 22 crew members of various nationalities, including Malaysia, Myanmar, Russia, the Philippines and Indonesia, from both vessels to be detained.
He said the total seizure was estimated at RM2.33bil, comprising the two tankers and the Euro 5 diesel being smuggled, valued at an estimated RM5.43mil.
