11-7-2023 (JAKARTA) The Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla RI), through its patrol vessel KN Pulau Marore 322, has apprehended the Iranian-flagged super tanker MT Arman 114 carrying 272,569 metric tons of Light Crude Oil (LCO), with an estimated value of Rp 4.6 trillion ($3.3 million). The vessel was caught engaging in illegal activities within Indonesia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the North Natuna Sea.
The apprehension took place on Friday (10th July 2023). It began when the Bakamla vessel detected suspicious activity.
“In the morning, we noticed something unusual, unlike the usual situation, and it occurred within Indonesia’s EEZ. As the contact seemed suspicious, I ordered Bakamla’s aerial patrol units to investigate,” said Admiral Aan Kurnia, the Chief of Bakamla RI, at Bakamla Headquarters in Central Jakarta on Tuesday (11th July 2023).
Aan explained that besides the Iranian-flagged vessel, there was also a vessel flying the flag of Cameroon. Both vessels were captured while conducting a transshipment of crude oil.
“Both vessels did not respond to communication attempts and attempted to evade inspection by fleeing while the hoses were still connected (the transshipment process was ongoing), leading to an immediate pursuit that entered Malaysian EEZ waters,” he explained.
In addition to refusing to stop, Aan stated that the vessel was found to be dumping waste into the water. He confirmed that the waste had been collected as evidence of the violation.
“The vessel did not want to stop and, while slowly moving, it also dumped waste. We have taken the waste as evidence of the violation. This is one form of violation in addition to its non-compliance with orders to stop by the authorities,” he revealed.
Bakamla RI managed to apprehend only the Iranian-flagged MT Arman 114, while the Cameroonian-flagged MT Stinos managed to escape.
Aan reiterated that besides the Iranian-flagged vessel, there was also a vessel flying the flag of Cameroon. Both vessels were captured while conducting a transshipment of crude oil.
“Both vessels did not respond to communication attempts and attempted to evade inspection by fleeing while the hoses were still connected (the transshipment process was ongoing), leading to an immediate pursuit that entered Malaysian EEZ waters,” he explained.
In addition to refusing to stop, Aan stated that the vessel was found to be dumping waste into the water. He confirmed that the waste had been collected as evidence of the violation.
“The vessel did not want to stop and, while slowly moving, it also dumped waste. We have taken the waste as evidence of the violation. This is one form of violation in addition to its non-compliance with orders to stop by the authorities,” he revealed.
Bakamla RI managed to apprehend only the Iranian-flagged MT Arman 114, while the Cameroonian-flagged MT Stinos managed to escape.
