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The Star
18 hours ago
- General
- The Star
MMEA detains Malaysian-registered vessel crewed illegally by foreigners
KLANG: A Malaysian vessel, illegally manned by Indonesians, landed in hot water after it was caught flouting maritime and Immigration regulations by the Selangor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). Selangor Maritime director Captain Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh said the vessel, which was operated by a skipper and two crew members, aged between 38 and 48 years old, was detained Tuesday (June 3) some 0.16 nautical miles south of Tanjung Harapan near here. He added that the boat was apprehended during the MMEA's enforcement patrols around Klang waters. 'An inspection found that the vessel had breached its licence condition under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 with various offences,'' said Captain Abdul Muhaimin. He added that the offences included the skipper's name not being the one stipulated in the licence as well as failure to provide the 500GT Domestic Trade Voyages licence. 'Not only that, the cargo boat's crew members' names were not found in the licence and the vessel's Automatic Identification System (AIS) was also inactive and finally, one of the crew members did not have a seaman's book,'' Captain Abdul Muhaimin said. He added the cargo boat had also flouted the Immigration Act 1959/63 as one of the foreigners did not possess valid identification documents. The Malaysian vessel had also breached maritime regulations by hiring foreigners. The vessel and the trio were taken to the Marine Police jetty at Pulau Indah to be handed over to the Selangor MMEA investigating officer for further action. 'Maritime Malaysia will not compromise on any individuals who carelessly or purposely breach the country's laws in the Malaysian maritime zone,'' said Captain Abdul Muhaimin. He added any complaints, information on maritime crime, or emergency incidents at sea can be channelled to the authorities by contacting the emergency line 999 or the Selangor State Maritime Operations Centre at 03-3176 0627 for immediate response.
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
China Dominates ‘Dark' Network Behind Global Fishing Crisis
A new report exposes the sophisticated networks propping up Chinese squid fleets accused of illegal fishing off South America. These activities-often carried out with Automatic Identification System (AIS) trackers turned off, or "dark"-are undercutting local fishers who depend on regional marine resources for their livelihoods, according to Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit C4ADS. The rising demand for seafood and dwindling local stocks have pushed fishing fleets farther from home. The vessels now operate in international waters for months-even years-at a time, virtually unmonitored, increasing the risk of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and labor abuses. China and Taiwan account for about 60 percent of distant-water fishing, and Chinese vessels in particular have faced growing scrutiny for allegedly operating illegally within South American exclusive economic zones, prompting rising grassroots pressure to tighten enforcement and close regulatory loopholes. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese embassies in Paraguay and Uruguay with emailed requests for comment. The abundant stocks of jumbo flying squid and Argentine shortfin squid have attracted distant-water fishing fleets to the coasts of South America. A report released Tuesday by the C4Dfound that 69 percent of squid jiggers operating off the Pacific and Atlantic coasts share ownership with ships allegedly involved in illicit activities, or vessels of concern. While these operations are theoretically under the oversight of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (SPRFMO), enforcement is often spotty. The situation is even more tenuous on the Atlantic coast, which lacks a comparable fisheries management framework. Monitoring these vessels is challenging because of extended periods between port calls. Complicating matters further are sophisticated networks of onshore and offshore actors who facilitate illicit operations by obscuring catch data, obfuscating labor abuses, and lobbying to maintain lax regulations, according to C4ADS. A variety of offshore support vessels is crucial to sustaining these industrial squid fishing operations over extended periods. Refrigerated cargo ships, or "reefers," transfer catches, equipment, supplies and crew between vessels, allowing fishing ships to cut down on port visits, where they may be subject to inspections, and obscure the origin of hauls. Reefers then typically offload catches at ports in states that are not party to the Port State Measures Agreement, a treaty aimed at blocking illegal fishing vessels from offloading their harvest. Enforcement is further hindered by relatively lax regulations. Unlike other distant-water fishers restricted to interacting with SPRFMO-authorized vessels, squid jiggers are only required to report transshipments within 30 days and provide operational details quarterly. Chinese firms have a significant presence in this sector. Nearly 90 percent of transshipment events involving distant-water squid jiggers were linked to Chinese-owned reefers, with just 15 ships accounting for 72 percent of these interactions. All 15 operated under flags of convenience, registering under foreign nations in order to mask Chinese ownership and reduce oversight. Tankers also play a key role by refueling these ships and allowing them to remain at sea for longer periods. Unlike reefers, tankers are typically not required to report encounters with squid jiggers. Additionally, owners of tankers supplying fuel to squid fishers are not mandated to register these vessels within fleets that directly contact fishing vessels, creating a regulatory gap that enables support with a minimal record of activities. Support vessels referred to as "floating offshore fishery bases" by C4ADS also bolster these operations. These are squid jiggers that have adopted multifunctional roles, providing logistics, operational coordination and limited medical care. These ships not only extend time at sea but also help conceal labor abuses. While hospital ships have traditionally supported distant-water fishing, the report focuses on those registered solely as fishing vessels, whose activities extend beyond medical aid. While much of the squid fleet's activity plays out at sea, critical support also comes from land. Two key land-based sectors help sustain these operations, sometimes enabling illicit behavior in the process. Port agents act as an important link between vessels and local authorities, managing logistics and relaying operational details. Yet the same access that facilitates oversight can also be used to shield questionable practices from government scrutiny, C4ADS wrote. Insurance providers also play a role. Many underwrite high-risk vessels despite ties to IUU fishing, forced labor or sanctions violations-offering a financial cushion that helps these operations continue. Insurance claims themselves can sometimes offer a clearer picture of crew movement and health than data from vessel tracking systems, per the report. Sara Nix, C4ADS natural resource security analyst, told Newsweek: "The distant water squid fleet relies on a global network of enablers, from port agents to tankers, that allow operations to continue largely unchecked. "What's shifting the tide is growing grassroots pressure, especially in Peru and Argentina, where squid is vital to food security and local economies. "As squid landings decline, whether due to climatic variations like El Niño, overfishing, or IUU activity, frustration is mounting. Local fishers and civic groups are increasingly demanding stronger oversight, not just of foreign vessels but of the opaque systems that enable them to operate with impunity." Related Articles China Alarms US Ally in Disputed WatersUS Ally Sends Strong Warning to ChinaMap Tracks Chinese Aircraft Carrier Near US AlliesChina Says US Violated Trade Truce With Three Moves 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
China Dominates 'Dark' Network Behind Global Fishing Crisis
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new report exposes the sophisticated networks propping up Chinese squid fleets accused of illegal fishing off South America. These activities—often carried out with Automatic Identification System (AIS) trackers turned off, or "dark"—are undercutting local fishers who depend on regional marine resources for their livelihoods, according to Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit C4ADS. Illegal, Unreported And Unregulated The rising demand for seafood and dwindling local stocks have pushed fishing fleets farther from home. The vessels now operate in international waters for months—even years—at a time, virtually unmonitored, increasing the risk of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and labor abuses. China and Taiwan account for about 60 percent of distant-water fishing, and Chinese vessels in particular have faced growing scrutiny for allegedly operating illegally within South American exclusive economic zones, prompting rising grassroots pressure to tighten enforcement and close regulatory loopholes. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese embassies in Paraguay and Uruguay with emailed requests for comment. Close-up shot of the backs of several fishing trawlers in Hong Kong on February 6, 2019. Close-up shot of the backs of several fishing trawlers in Hong Kong on February 6, 2019. StephenWhat To Know The abundant stocks of jumbo flying squid and Argentine shortfin squid have attracted distant-water fishing fleets to the coasts of South America. A report released Tuesday by the C4Dfound that 69 percent of squid jiggers operating off the Pacific and Atlantic coasts share ownership with ships allegedly involved in illicit activities, or vessels of concern. While these operations are theoretically under the oversight of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (SPRFMO), enforcement is often spotty. The situation is even more tenuous on the Atlantic coast, which lacks a comparable fisheries management framework. Monitoring these vessels is challenging because of extended periods between port calls. Complicating matters further are sophisticated networks of onshore and offshore actors who facilitate illicit operations by obscuring catch data, obfuscating labor abuses, and lobbying to maintain lax regulations, according to C4ADS. Offshore Support A variety of offshore support vessels is crucial to sustaining these industrial squid fishing operations over extended periods. Refrigerated cargo ships, or "reefers," transfer catches, equipment, supplies and crew between vessels, allowing fishing ships to cut down on port visits, where they may be subject to inspections, and obscure the origin of hauls. Reefers then typically offload catches at ports in states that are not party to the Port State Measures Agreement, a treaty aimed at blocking illegal fishing vessels from offloading their harvest. Enforcement is further hindered by relatively lax regulations. Unlike other distant-water fishers restricted to interacting with SPRFMO-authorized vessels, squid jiggers are only required to report transshipments within 30 days and provide operational details quarterly. Chinese firms have a significant presence in this sector. Nearly 90 percent of transshipment events involving distant-water squid jiggers were linked to Chinese-owned reefers, with just 15 ships accounting for 72 percent of these interactions. All 15 operated under flags of convenience, registering under foreign nations in order to mask Chinese ownership and reduce oversight. Tankers also play a key role by refueling these ships and allowing them to remain at sea for longer periods. Unlike reefers, tankers are typically not required to report encounters with squid jiggers. Additionally, owners of tankers supplying fuel to squid fishers are not mandated to register these vessels within fleets that directly contact fishing vessels, creating a regulatory gap that enables support with a minimal record of activities. Support vessels referred to as "floating offshore fishery bases" by C4ADS also bolster these operations. These are squid jiggers that have adopted multifunctional roles, providing logistics, operational coordination and limited medical care. These ships not only extend time at sea but also help conceal labor abuses. While hospital ships have traditionally supported distant-water fishing, the report focuses on those registered solely as fishing vessels, whose activities extend beyond medical aid. Onshore Support While much of the squid fleet's activity plays out at sea, critical support also comes from land. Two key land-based sectors help sustain these operations, sometimes enabling illicit behavior in the process. Port agents act as an important link between vessels and local authorities, managing logistics and relaying operational details. Yet the same access that facilitates oversight can also be used to shield questionable practices from government scrutiny, C4ADS wrote. Insurance providers also play a role. Many underwrite high-risk vessels despite ties to IUU fishing, forced labor or sanctions violations—offering a financial cushion that helps these operations continue. Insurance claims themselves can sometimes offer a clearer picture of crew movement and health than data from vessel tracking systems, per the report. What People Are Saying Sara Nix, C4ADS natural resource security analyst, told Newsweek: "The distant water squid fleet relies on a global network of enablers, from port agents to tankers, that allow operations to continue largely unchecked. "What's shifting the tide is growing grassroots pressure, especially in Peru and Argentina, where squid is vital to food security and local economies. "As squid landings decline, whether due to climatic variations like El Niño, overfishing, or IUU activity, frustration is mounting. Local fishers and civic groups are increasingly demanding stronger oversight, not just of foreign vessels but of the opaque systems that enable them to operate with impunity."
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala govt. forms multiple committees to handle shipwreck related issues
A day after declaring the MSC ELSA 3 shipwreck a State-specific disaster, the Kerala government has constituted multiple committees to handle associated matters, including engagement with MSC, owners of the container vessel. 'Engagement with MSC is immediately required for institutional arrangement to create the financial package for use by the State government for risk and damage assessment, management and remedial measures, including compensation,' the government noted in an order on Friday. This seven-member panel is chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary (Finance). The Member Secretary, Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), will act as the single nodal point for contact with MSC, it said. The government has appointed the Special Secretary, Department of Environment, as the principal impact assessment officer. The officer will constitute and head a multi-disciplinary team which will look into impact assessment, restoration, and remediation across sectors. For mitigating the impact of 'potential coastal pollution,' the government has formed a two-tier institutional mechanism. The eight-member State-level panel is chaired by the Secretary, Science and Technology Department. 'The committee shall take measures to guide pollution-control activities at district level by way of policy orders, advisories, making resource available and to support the Environment department in undertaking assessment studies for restoration and remediation,' the government order said. The six-member district-level panels will be chaired by the District Collectors concerned. Further, the Secretary, Department of Science and Technology has been designated as Principal Advisor to the Environment Department. The officer, along with a KSDMA member, will advice the State Pollution Control Board and the district administrations in matters related to eco-restoration and combating environmental pollution. The government has declared the wreck of MSC ELSA-3 a State-specific disaster, 'considering the potentially serious environmental, social, and economic impact of the ship wreckage.' Meanwhile, the Directorate of Lighthouse and Lightships issued orders assigning a virtual AIS (Automatic Identification System) wreck marking for the wreck of MSC ELSA-3.
Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
What is Russia's Shadow Fleet, the target of latest EU sanctions?
Russia's 'Shadow Fleet' is in focus after the European Union on Tuesday imposed a sweeping set of sanctions, which the group described as its 'largest ever package' targeting it. The European Council adopted the 17th package of economic and individual restrictive measures, including on the shadow fleet for oil exports, cutting off Russia's access to key military technology. Meanwhile, as per a statement from the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the latest sanctions target entities supporting Russia's military machine, energy exports and information war, as well as financial institutions helping to fund Putin's invasion of Ukraine and to disrupt the supply chains of deadly Russian weapons systems, including Iskander missiles. The sanctions are aimed at curtailling Moscow's revenue streams from crude oil sales using the so-called 'Shadow Fleet'. The fleet is reportedly used to move Russian oil across the globe despite the Western sanctions on any such sale. According to a report by the Guardian, the Russian Shadow Fleet is a collection of 500 or so old and uninsured secret oil tankers. The EU says Moscow uses this fleet to secretly export oil to other countries, dodging sanctions. These ships are called the 'Shadow Fleet' as they operate in shadows, outside the rules set for international shipping. They are reportedly unregistered, hide their movements, operate under fake names and often change their flag to remain untracked. The fleet is important for Russia as it is a way to dodge international sanctions imposed on its oil export after Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022. Oil is a major source of money for the Kremlin, and that's how it funds its war in Ukraine. To offset that, a price cap was introduced on Russian oil, barring the country from selling it above $60 per barrel to certain countries. Shipping companies in Europe were banned from helping transport Russian oil if it broke the rules. To continue selling oil and making money without following its adversaries' rules, Russia began building the shadow fleet. Under international shipping rules, ships use an Automatic Identification System (AIS) to communicate their location with the concerned authorities and other ships. That feature is switched off in the shadow fleet, which helps it maintain its secrecy. The ships frequently change their names and flags mid-journey, making it difficult to ascertain where the oil came from. The fleet also moves the oil from one ship to another in the middle of the ocean to achieve the same thing. Many of these tankers are ageing, bought secondhand from Western countries. They are more likely to leak or cause accidents, raising environmental concerns.
