Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has confirmed that they have identified the oil tanker, which was missing in the Malacca Strait off Malaysia on Saturday, near Indonesia’s Pulau Rupat.
MT Joaquim was on its journey from Tanjung Pinang, Indonesia to Langkawi, Malaysia. On Saturday evening, the vessel suddenly went off the radar. MMEA dispatched fifteen ships, nine boats and four aircrafts in search of the missing vessel.
All the nine crew members, one Singaporean and eight Indonesians, are safe, informed the vessel management company RTBS Consultants Pte. The company revealed that the ship moved back to Singapore for investigations.
MMEA Deputy Director General (Operations) Datuk Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar reported that 3500 metric tons of marine fuel worth $700000 went missing. He predicts an involvement of a Phantom ship and the possibility of an insider, in changing the course of direction.
Singapore’s MPA along with Malaysian authorities work for the safety of the ship and the crew. An injured crew member was medevaced and taken to Alor Gajah Hospital in Malacca, Malaysia.
Source: Reuters
Image Credit – Adolfo Pastor González
