Japanese built and operated VLCC Eneos Ocean is the latest in a series of tankers arrested by the Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia (APMM - Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency) for illegally anchoring in its waters
The waters around Malaysia are frequently used by tankers awaiting orders, but notification must be given to APMM.
For its part APMM has regular patrols of the sea areas looking for vessels that are avoiding paying dues and not informing the local authorities of the intention to anchor. Vessels failing to do so are faced with a heavy fine and officers may be imprisoned for up to two years under Section 491(B)(1)(l) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for illegal anchoring without a permit from the Marine Department.
Eneos Ocean was caught on 15 June 2021, during an operation by APMM and boarded off Pulau Kendi.
The Japanese captain was unable to produce documentation showing Eneos Ocean had permission to anchor. The captain and three other officers were taken ashore for further questioning and the VLCC was detained.
APMM has issued several warnings that foreign vessels must seek permission to anchor or face fines and has encouraged the general public to report vessels that are at anchor.
Eneos Ocean is operated by a Japanese company of the same name that has a fleet of 43 vessels including 25 tankers. There are six VLCCs in the fleet.
For the last 12 months, Eneos Ocean has made regular voyages between crude oil terminals in the Middle East Gulf and Japanese crude oil refineries, according to VesselsValue data.
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