Indonesian Coast Guard Warns Greek-Flagged Tanker for Loitering in Maluku Waters

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) patrol ship KN Singa Laut-402 has issued a warning to the Greek-flagged tanker following loitering activities in Maluku waters on Friday, April 16.

The warning came after the agency’s command and control center spotted the vessel entering the Indonesian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The MT MGD ship entered the Maluku waters in changing directions. "Upon receiving the information, the patrol vessel in Maluku waters KN Singa Laut-402 immediately approached the target ship to inspect the MT MGD," said a spokesperson for the Bakamla Colonel Wisnu Pramandita in a statement Saturday, April 17.

Also read: Indonesia Plans Rewards for Navy, Maritime Patrol in Stopping Smuggling

At 08:00 local time, KN Singa Laut-402 managed to detect the ship's presence with a speed of 4.7 knots. Commander of KN Singa Laut-402 Lieutenant Colonel Hermawan then ordered an approach of up to 200 yards to carry out further checks by radio communication.

The MT MGD carries out sea passage from China to Australia. However, it was seen that the vessel’s bow was not suitable for its purpose and was loitering in Maluku waters. The crew said it was because they adjusted the time of arrival in Australia.

However, said Wisnu, these activities further aroused suspicion because they had the potential to disrupt shipping traffic. The KN Singa Laut-402 firmly ordered the ship to change its direction to the south and immediately sailed towards Australia without stopping or circling.

"The Bakamla’s command and control center continuously monitors the movement of the ship until it leaves the Maluku waters and enters Australia waters,” he said.

(Writer: Achmad Nasrudin Yahya | Editor: Icha Rastika)

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/04/18/08423341/bakamla-peringatkan-kapal-tanker-yunani-yang-mondar-mandir-di-perairan.