Indonesia seizes Iranian, Panamanian oil tankers over alleged illegal oil transfer

Indonesia says it has seized two oil tankers, one Iranian and one Panamanian, claiming they were illegally transferring oil in its waters.

According to Press TV, a spokesman for the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency, Colonel Bakamla Wisnu Pramadita, said on Sunday that the Iranian-flagged MT Horse and the Panamanian-flagged MT Frea were seized in waters off Indonesia's West Kalimantan Province.

He claimed that the tankers have been captured for committing a variety of violations, including not displaying national flags, shutting off their identification systems, anchoring illegally as well as the illegal transfer of fuel between ships, and spilling oil.

Wisnu noted that the two vessels were escorted by Indonesian officials to Batam Island in Riau Islands Province for further investigation.

ME