Even as Western sanctions tighten on oil exports, tankers linked to the so-called "dark fleet" continue moving crude through Southeast Asian waters toward China. This week, two very large crude carriers detained near Penang, Malaysia over an illegal ship-to-ship transfer were released and quickly returned to sea.
Detained, Then Back at Sea
Malaysia’s Maritime Enforcement Agency intercepted the two vessels about 24 nautical miles west of Penang after detecting an unauthorized transfer of crude oil between them. Officials said the cargo involved was worth more than RM 512 million, about US $130 million, showing the scale of the operation.
Open source analysts identified the ships as the Nora and the Rcelebra. Their captains were arrested and handed over to investigators for illegal anchoring and unauthorized ship-to-ship transfers, violations that can carry fines of up to RM 300,000 per vessel.
Despite the investigation, tracking data showed both
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