Archive · 1 Feb 2026
Malaysia Seizes Oil from Suspected Illegal Transfers
Malaysian authorities recently stopped two big ships that were suspected of doing something illegal with oil.
They took a lot of oil worth about $129.9 million and also arrested the captains of these ships.
The ships had people from different countries working on them.
The ships were checked because someone complained, and it turned out they were connected in a way that suggested they were moving oil between them, which is not allowed.
The authorities are now investigating and the ships could be fined for breaking the rules.
Malaysian authorities seized 512 million ringgit ($129.9 million) worth of crude oil from two tankers suspected of illegal ship-to-ship transfers.
The tankers were detained 24 nautical miles west of Muka Head, Penang, and carried 53 crew members from various countries.
The two captains were arrested and handed over to Penang state maritime investigation officials.
The tankers are being investigated for anchoring without permission and carrying out illegal ship-to-ship transfer activities.
Penalties for the violations include 100,000 ringgit for anchoring without permission and 200,000 ringgit per vessel for illegal transfers.
- Who
- Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- What
- Seized crude oil and detained two tankers suspected of illegal ship-to-ship transfers
- When
- Last week, with inspection on Thursday at about 1 a.m. local time
- Where
- 24 nautical miles west of Muka Head, Penang, Malaysia
- Why
- To enforce rules against illegal ship-to-ship oil transfers
- Amount Seized
- 512 million ringgit ($129.9 million)
- Location
- 24 nautical miles west of Muka Head, Penang
- Number of Crew Members
- 53 (Chinese, Burmese, Iranian, Pakistani, Indian)
- Penalties
- 100,000 ringgit for anchoring without permission, 200,000 ringgit per vessel for illegal transfers
- Exchange Rate
- $1 = 3.94 ringgit