Malaysia Detains Vessels Over Unauthorised STS Transfer | Mariner News

Malaysian authorities have detained a tugboat and a dredger off Johor, seizing vessels and an oil cargo valued at approximately RM260 million ($64.3 million), over suspected unauthorized ship-to-ship (STS) transfer activity. The detentions occurred early Wednesday morning following intelligence received about two vessels operating alongside each other northwest of Tanjung Buai.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) confirmed the detention of a Malaysian-registered tugboat with five crew members, including Malaysian and Indonesian nationals, and a dredger carrying thirteen Malaysian crew members. Investigators found an oil cargo suspected of lacking proper ownership and delivery documents.

The vessels and cargo have been detained for further investigation under Malaysia’s Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 and Customs Act 1967. The involvement of a dredger and a tugboat in an alleged unauthorized STS oil transfer, particularly with a valuable cargo lacking essential documentation, points towards potentially illicit bunkering or illegal oil trading operations rather than typical commercial STS transactions. This incident highlights ongoing vigilance by Malaysian authorities against clandestine activities within their waters, signalling an increased enforcement risk for operators engaged in undocumented transfers.