MMEA intercepts unmanned vessel drifting near oil platform; probe underway into August 7 blaze that killed one crew member.
Malaysian maritime authorities have intercepted an unmanned “ghost ship” off Terengganu, suspected to be the same tanker involved in a deadly fire off Johor earlier this month. The vessel was found drifting dangerously close to an offshore oil platform.
Vessel Discovered Near Oil Platform
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said the unmanned vessel, weighing nearly 293 tonnes, was spotted about four nautical miles east of the Semangkok A oil platform on August 12. The Kuantan Maritime Rescue Sub Centre received the alert from its Johor Bahru counterparts at 4.45 pm.
Pahang MMEA director First Admiral Mazlan Mat Rejab said the ship had drifted into restricted waters, posing a collision risk to nearby offshore platforms. The agency’s Special Action and Rescue (STAR) team boarded the tanker at 6.58pm and secured it for towing to the Kemaman Supply Base (KSB) in Terengganu.
Suspected Link to Johor Blaze
Authorities suspect the vessel is connected to the August 7 tanker fire off Tanjung Sedili, Johor, which left a 42-year-old Indonesian crew member dead and four others injured. The fire occurred about 36 nautical miles east of Tanjung Sedili Kechil.
Salvage and Inspection Plans
The “ghost ship” is expected to berth at KSB on August 15, where it will undergo a detailed inspection to confirm its identity and determine if any victims remain onboard. The salvage operation will continue until the vessel is safely handed over to the Malaysian Marine Department.
Multi-Agency Operation
The interception was part of an integrated operation involving the MMEA’s Dauphin AS365 N3 helicopter, the Marine Department, and multiple oil and gas companies, including Petronas Carigali, Vestigo Petroleum, Jadestone Energy, and Jasa Merin.
While the vessel’s full identity has yet to be confirmed, maritime authorities are treating the case as a possible extension of the fatal Johor tanker fire investigation, underscoring ongoing safety risks in Malaysia’s busy offshore waters.
Sources: New Straits Times (2025) , Malay Mail (2025)
Keywords: Ghost Ship, Johor Tanker Fire, MMEA, Terengganu Waters, Offshore Oil Platform, Maritime Safety
