Malaysia Releases Tankers After Suspected Illegal Oil Transfer, Raising Enforcement Concerns

Malaysia Releases Tankers After Suspected Illegal Oil Transfer, Raising Enforcement Concerns Malaysian authorities have released two oil tankers that were previously detained on suspicion of conducting an unauthorized ship-to-ship (STS) oil transfer in Malaysian waters, a move that has drawn attention to the challenges of enforcing regulations against so called shadow fleet operations. The vessels were intercepted earlier this year during a maritime patrol off the coast of Penang. The tankers were initially detained after enforcement officers observed them positioned side-by-side at anchor, a configuration commonly associated with STS oil transfers. Authorities seized a significant quantity of crude oil and detained crew members for questioning as part of an investigation into possible violations of Malaysian maritime and environmental laws. Following several weeks of review, the vessels were released after the operators posted a financial bond in accordance with local regulations. Malaysian officials stated that the decision was made within the existing legal framework, citing documentation provided by the ship operators regarding the origin and ownership of the cargo.

MARINA Conducts Heightened Vessel Inspections in Zamboanga Region

ZAMBOANGA REGION — The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has started intensified inspections of vessels operating in the Zamboanga Peninsula and Sulu on February 2, 2026, following the directive of MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan. On the first day of the operation, three vessels were thoroughly inspected by MARINA Regional Office IX (MRO IX), including two roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels and one passenger vessel. MARINA said the compliance inspections will continue until all operating vessels in the area have been checked.

Death Toll in MV Trisha Kerstin 3 Sinking Rises to 40

The death toll from the sinking of the passenger ferry MV Trisha Kerstin 3 has increased to 40, according to the latest update from the Philippine Coast Guard. The vessel sank in waters off Basilan while traveling from Zamboanga City to Jolo. Search and retrieval operations remain ongoing as authorities continue to locate missing passengers.

France Detains Captain After Seizing Russian-Linked Tanker in Mediterranean

Paris, France — French authorities have detained the captain of the oil tanker Grinch following its interception and seizure by the French Navy in the Mediterranean Sea earlier this week. The tanker, which departed from the Russian port of Murmansk in early January, was stopped on suspicion of operating under a false flag and being part of a so-called “shadow fleet” used to circumvent Western sanctions on Russian oil exports, according to the Marseille prosecutor’s office. The 58-year-old captain, an Indian national, was placed into judicial custody on preliminary charges linked to the validity of the vessel’s registration and flag state documentation after the ship was diverted to anchor off the port of Marseille-Fos. Other crew members, who are also Indian nationals, remain aboard the tanker as investigators verify its navigation documents and compliance with international maritime regulations. French naval forces carried out the high-sea interception on Grinch in the western Mediterranean, between the southern coast of Spain and northern Morocco, last Thursday. The ship was reportedly flying a Comoros flag which authorities say may be a facade at the time of the boarding operation. This operation marks one of several recent European efforts to enforce sanctions intended to restrict Russia’s revenue from oil sales related to its war in Ukraine, with the vessel’s seizure reflecting growing international pressure on these “shadow fleet” operations. French President Emmanuel Macron publicly reaffirmed France’s commitment to upholding international law and sanction enforcement following the operation. The investigation will examine whether Grinch breached maritime law, including potential misuse of flag documentation and compliance with sanctions regimes, as authorities determine next steps in the case.