Oil Tanker Hijacked, Three Indonesians Kidnapped in Malacca Strait
A SINGAPORE-managed, St Kitts & Nevis-flagged oil tanker was boarded by armed robbers in the Malacca Strait off Port Klang. Three crew were kidnapped during the theft of part of the fuel cargo.
On 21 Apr 14 at or about 0620 hrs (local time), a Saint Kitts and Nevis-registered oil tanker, MT Naniwa Maru No. 1 departed Singapore for the port of Yangon, Myanmar with 4,344 metric tonnes of Marine Diesel Oil onboard.
On 22 Apr 14, the shipping company based in Singapore reported to the ReCAAP ISC that two vessels came alongside MT Naniwa Maru No. 1 near Port Klang, Malaysia in position 02° 59.00’ N, 100° 54.90’ E at or about 0100 hrs local. See map below.
At the time of the incident, there were 18 crew comprising Indonesians, Indians and Thai nationals onboard the tanker. Upon receipt of the information, the ReCAAP ISC immediately alerted the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
The Singapore shipping company updated the ReCAAP ISC that at or about 0055 hrs local on 22 Apr 14, five robbers appeared on the bridge, held the crew while they siphoned about 2,500 metric tonnes of Marine Diesel Oil and escaped.
The company also reported that the master, chief officer and chief engineer (all Indonesians) were taken by the robbers, together with their personal belongings and travel documents.
The rest of the crew were left onboard MT Naniwa Maru No. 1 without any injury.
The shipping company reported that of the two vessels which came alongside MT Naniwa Maru No. 1, one of them was of a Mongolian flag, with a black and white hull, and shelter at the poop deck.
The MMEA boarded MT Naniwa Maru No. 1 and is working closely with the Indonesian Marine Police and authorities to establish in which direction the two vessels were heading; and to locate the three missing crew.
The investigation is ongoing.
The ReCAAP ISC considers this incident as a case of sea robbery involving siphoning of Marine Diesel Oil pending further investigation, and coordination with other agencies to locate the three missing crew.
Source: ReCAAP ISC
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