Indonesia seizes Iran-flagged tanker over suspected crude oil transfer

AFP | Jakarta                  

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Indonesian maritime authorities seized an Iranian-flagged tanker carrying more than 200,000 metric tons of light crude oil after a suspected illegal transfer at sea, they said yesterday.

The MT Arman 114 under the Iranian flag was “suspected of carrying out illegal transshipment activities” in Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone, the maritime security agency said in a statement.

The tanker was seized on Friday after authorities found it conducting a suspected transfer of crude oil to Cameroon-flagged ship MT S Tinos, the statement said. The vessel was carrying a crew of 28 Syrian nationals and three other passengers, as well as 272,568 metric tons of light crude oil worth tens of millions of dollars.

Indonesia’s maritime authorities said the tanker refused to respond to communication from Indonesian authorities, had turned off its shipping information system, and did not fly its flag.

When approached, the MT Arman 114 tried to escape before being chased into Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone. Indonesian authorities carried out the seizure with the help of Malaysian authorities, who “deployed special maritime troops using helicopters”, it said.