Tanker OKI MARU was detained by Vietnamese Coast Guard in waters of Con Dao Archipelago, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Vietnam, in the morning Jun 18, in the process of bunkering Vietnamese fishing vessel. Both Captains, of tanker and of fishing vessel, failed to present documents proving the legitimate origin of fuel. Some 1000 tons of illegal fuel were found, tanker was taken to anchorage for further investigation. 10 crew includes 8 Thai and 2 Cambodian nationalities. Ship’s AIS is missing since Oct 2019.
When there’s a surge in smuggling, be it fuel or tobacco or fish or whatever, it usually means, that something is wrong with laws, taxation and cost-setting policy. That is to say, that the governments grab from their nations more than governments should, compelling people to look for cheaper, albeit illegal, alternatives.
Product tanker OKI MARU, IMO 8869725, dwt 1973, built 1993, flag Mongolia, manager?
