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Malaysia is intensifying efforts to combat fuel smuggling as shortages and supply issues escalate due to the conflict in Iran.

MalaysiaThe Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) stated that it arrested two tankers for reportedly carrying out an unauthorized transfer of approximately 700,000 liters (185,000 gallons) of diesel at sea near the island of Penang during the weekend.

Malaysia is intensifying efforts to combat fuel smuggling as the conflict in the region leads to increasing shortages and supply issues.Middle East.

The director of the Penang MMEA, Muhammad Suffi Mohd Ramli, stated that officials conducted inspections after receiving a tip from intelligence sources regarding the vessels, which were moored in the waters near Bagan Ajam on Saturday.

“The inspection revealed that both vessels were in a connected state and were suspected of engaging in unauthorized ship-to-ship oil transfer operations,” Muhammad Suffi stated in a Sunday announcement.

The reported transfer included approximately 700,000 liters of Euro 5 diesel, whereas the total quantity seized was estimated to be around 800,000 liters, valued at roughly 5.43 million ringgit (US$1.37 million), he mentioned.

Officials also detained 22 crew members, including individuals from Malaysia, Myanmar, Russia, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

The MMEA did not indicate where the tankers came from, the source of the diesel, or where the fuel was headed.

The waters near Malaysia are frequently used for illicit ship-to-ship transfers, where oil is moved between tankers at sea to hide its source. Malaysian officials stated in July of last year that they would implement the relevant regulations with greater strictness.

In February, the Penang MMEA detained two tankers for a comparable ship-to-ship transfer of crude oil, although the vessels were eventually released upon posting a bond while additional investigations were conducted.

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This piece was first published in the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), a top news outlet covering China and Asia.

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