Tanker Ships Violate Indonesian Territory Avoid Charges From Singapore

The MT Nord Joy tanker/Photo: Antara

BATAM - The Panamanian-flagged MT Nord Joy tanker which was captured by the Indonesian Navy while anchoring in Indonesian waters without a permit, is suspected to have avoided the cost of anchoring in Singapore.

"Incidentally, our territory with Singapore is very close, maybe it's too full there and maybe if he was there he had to pay, so he tried to enter Indonesian waters and anchored," said the Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces Command I (Pangkoarmada I) Rear Admiral TNI. Arsyad Abdullah in Batam, Riau Islands, Friday 10 June.

Arsyad explained that if a ship wants to anchor or lean into a port in Indonesian waters, it should have an official permit.

"An official letter when going into Indonesian waters to anchor or dock at the port, of course he will report to the agent. Then the agent will report to the port authority or KSOP (Office of Harbor Masters and Port Authority)," he said, quoted by Antara. In the case of the MT Nord Joy, this ship was originally bound for Singapore via the high seas or international seas. but when approaching Indonesian waters the ship actually anchored without permission.

"Maybe he wants to save fuel, that's why he dropped the anchor," said Arsyad guessing.

Arsyad continued, for the legal process for the MT Nord Joy ship, currently TNI AL investigators have submitted an Investigation Commencement Order (SPDP) to the Batam District Attorney, and are waiting for the completeness of the files to carry out the second stage of submission in which the suspect and evidence are handed over to the Batam District Attorney.

"So I reiterate that currently MT Nord Joy is in the legal process," said Arsyad.