MMEA detains tugboat and dredger over suspected ship‑to‑ship transfer; RM260m oil cargo seized off Tanjung Buai

KOTA TINGGI, Sept 2 — The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized two Malaysian vessels, a tugboat and a dredger, suspected of unauthorised ship-to-ship transfer activities in national waters, along with a cargo valued at RM260 million, according to a report by Bernama. The operation took place at 3.20am following public information about two suspicious vessels located about 1.4 nautical miles northwest of Tanjung Buai.

The tugboat, operated by a crew of five, including the skipper with ages ranging from 26 to 58 years, and the dredger, with a crew of 13 including the skipper aged between 22 and 51 years, were detained for further investigation. The vessels were found lacking proper ownership and delivery documents for the oil cargo. The case is currently under investigation for suspected ship-to-ship activities without permission and anchoring without permission, as well as for the discovery of an oil cargo without the necessary documents, under Sections 491B(1)(K) and (1)(L) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (OPS) 1952 and the Customs Act 1967, respectively.