Indonesia: Missing tanker taken by crew over dispute

By Ainur Rohmah

TUBAN, Indonesia (AA) – An Indonesian-flagged oil tanker that went missing from a Malaysian port was taken by its crew following an “internal management dispute”, according to authorities Wednesday.

First Adm. Edi Sucipto, Indonesian navy spokesman, said they are currently tracking the location of the vessel, which sailed off from Malaysia’s Kuantan port earlier this week carrying 900,000 liters of diesel worth 1.57 million rupiah ($391,500).

Kompas.com quoted him as saying that the ship was not hijacked in Malaysian waters -- where incidents of piracy and kidnappings have occurred -- but was taken by its crew to Indonesia’s Batam island.

“Our conclusion, the ship is not hijacked. It was confirmed after there were no indications of violence," he said.

He added that investigations by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Indonesian navy’s Western Fleet Quick Response showed that the vessel’s company was experiencing “internal management problems”.

According to Malaysia-based The Star Online, the tanker’s owner had not paid a bond to Malaysian authorities that would have ensured it would be held accountable in Malaysian waters and allowed it to sail.

It quoted Rear Adm. Adon Shalan of the MMEA as saying that the MT Vier Harmoni could have been “deliberately taken to international waters due to a commercial dispute”.

"We tried to contact the ship but it went unanswered while we believe the ship's captain might have turned off its tracking system as we could not trace it on our radar," he added.