Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia (APMM - Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency) has expelled five more internationally registered tankers for anchoring in Malaysian waters without permits
Speaking about tankers detained or expelled from Malaysian waters for not following legal procedures, APMM maritime director for the Tompok Utara area in eastern Johor waters, Nurul Hizam Zakaria said, “I would like to remind vessel operators that the waters of Permatang Timur (Eastern Bank), Beting Ramunia (Ramunia Shoal) and Tompok Utara (North Patch) are still within the Malaysian maritime zone and are not international waters, although they are at a distance of more than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land.”
He added that, “All activities conducted within those areas will require permits from the Malaysian Government in order to avoid any legal action taken against them.”
Vessels anchoring or in lay-up in the region without permits face detention or expulsion. So far in 2020, 17 vessels have been detained and 23 vessels were expelled in November 2020.
APMM does not name the vessels, but posted images of the vessels with the names removed. The five vessels expelled on Sunday (28 November 2020), are, from the images, tankers.
APMM is also clamping down on illegal ship-to-ship (STS) activity in the region. APMM reported that a Comoros-flagged VLCC and a Labuan-registered tanker were caught in the act of STS. None of the vessels could produce the required paperwork or insurance and were detained.
Do not forget to register Offshore Support Journal, Asia virtual conference 2-3 December 2020.
© 2023 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.