THE Indonesian authorities have seized a tanker believed to have been used by pirates last week to siphon 3,500 tonnes of crude oil, valued at MYR2.8 million (US$700,000), from the Singapore-registered oil tanker, Joaquim.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) deputy director-general, Vice Admiral Datuk Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar, said the tanker was detained off Dumai with suspected pirates, reported London's Tanker Operator.
In the wake of the latest hijacking, PVI, part of Protection Group International, has warned that high demand for illicit oil, together with a well-established black market, will continue to drive maritime attacks in southeast Asia over the coming months.
As a result, small tanker owners face operational, financial and security threats. In the absence of a stronger law enforcement response, this year is set to see a record number of hijackings in the region.
The Singapore-registered 3,465-dwt Joaquim was reported missing while sailing from Tanjung Pinang, Indonesia to Langkawi. The vessel with 10 crew members was found 14 nautical miles east off Pulau Rapat, Indonesia, after pirates released it.
The Joaquim has since been taken to a location in Malaysia for repairs and MMEA had contacted the company, which owned the tanker to conduct investigations.
The authorities believe that 10 people were involved in the robbery and hijacking of the ship and initial investigations showed the vessel's automatic identification system (AIS) had not been transmitting since August 6 and the authorities were investigating whether it had been deliberately switched off or had malfunctioned.
PVI has advised owners and operators of vulnerable vessels, such as small tankers to practice anti-piracy training and procedures for crew, to ensure crew are proficient in standard watch-tower procedures and to promptly implement evasive anti-piracy measures in the event of a suspicious approach.
PIRACY
22 August 2015 - 09:10
Southeast Asia braces for record pirate hijackings this year
THE Indonesian authorities have seized a tanker believed to have been used by pirates last week to siphon 3,500 tonnes of crude oil, valued at MYR2.8 million (US$700,000), from the Singapore-registered oil tanker, Joaquim.
PIRACY
22 August 2015 - 09:10
Southeast Asia braces for record pirate hijackings this year
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