Batam, Batamews - The super tanker MT Arman 114, loaded with crude oil and originating from Iran, reportedly vanished from its mooring location in the Batu Ampar waters, Batam, Riau Islands a few days ago. The incident has sparked significant concern.

When seized by the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) Western Region, MT Arman 114 was carrying over 200,000 metric tons of light crude oil, precisely 272,569 metric tons valued at Rp4.6 trillion ($320 million). It was later found to have only 166,000 metric tons remaining.

Initially, it was suspected that the vessel was being secretly moved out of Batam to a foreign country. On July 7, 2023, MT Arman was implicated in an environmental pollution case. It is suspected of transferring crude oil to another super tanker, MT STinos, in the waters of North Natuna, Natuna Island, Riau Islands.

During the transfer, waste from the ship is believed to have been discharged into the sea. Subsequently, Bakamla captured the vessel and brought it, along with the captain and crew, to the waters of Batu Ampar. After more than six months of legal proceedings, the captain of MT Arman 114, Mahmoud Abd Elaziz Mohamed Hatiba, was sentenced by the Batam District Court to seven years in prison, a fine of Rp 5 billion ($350,000), and the ship and its contents were seized by the state.

The drama began here, as Captain Mahmoud then fled. He is suspected of having left the country illegally. Some suggest he took a back route into Johor, Malaysia. Since being investigated by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry's investigators, he was never detained throughout the handover process to the Batam State Prosecutors' office and even during the court proceedings at the Batam District Court, he was free to roam.

Never Involved in the MT Arman 114 Case

The Batam Port Authority and Harbour Master's office have raised concerns about the statement from PT Pelayaran Kencana Global (PKG) regarding the reasons for the vessel’s shift. "This is a force majeure event, beyond human reasoning and capability," said the Head of Patrol and Law Enforcement at the KSOP Batam, Adi Rifai, when confirmed by batamnews.co.id on Monday (22/07/2024).

He stated that KSOP was never involved or informed about the MT Arman 114 case, hence they could not provide much comment when media inquired about the vessel. "Regarding the vessel, please ask the Ministry of Environment and Forestry because the court decision entrusted the vessel to them. From the beginning until now, KSOP has never received any documents related to this vessel. Therefore, we cannot provide further comments as we (KSOP) have never been informed about the vessel," said Adi.

Ship Agent Clarification

Previously reported, the agent of the MT Arman 114 clarified the news that the vessel, which serves as evidence in the Batam District Court, appeared to have shifted to the waters of Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Previously, the vessel loaded with 166,000 Metric Tons of crude oil was located in the waters of Batu Ampar, Batam City.

The Director of PT Pelayaran Kencana Global, Lisa Yulia, as the agent for MT Arman, confirmed the shift that occurred with MT Arman 114 since Monday (08/07/2024). "Indeed, the vessel shifted about 1.2 NM to the east since July 8, 2024. The current position of the vessel is still in Batu Ampar anchorage with Latitude: N 1*12.603', Longitude: E 104*00.982'. Distance to the gas pipeline: 0.39 NM (0.72 km)," she told batamnews.co.id on Saturday (20/07/2024).

Lisa continued, the vessel's crew also reported that the anchor was dragged suddenly due to bad weather and possibly because the ship had been moored for a long time (on standby). When the vessel shifted, Captain Arman immediately informed Bakamla, VTS, and the ship agent.

"As the agent for the Arman vessel, we have already submitted a request for crew change and notified that the vessel is in a state of safe manning or minimum crew (lacking a Chief Officer, 2nd Officer, 3rd Officer, deck, and Engineers 1,2,3,4, ETO)," she said.