Cambodian government demands return of Strovolos
Detainer tanker and crew still held by Indonesia on charges of oil theft.
The Cambodian government is seeking the return of the detained tanker MT Strovolos, after it was arrested by Indonesian officials on suspicion of illegally loading a cargo of oil.
The Bahamas-flagged tanker and its crew were detained in Indonesian waters near the Anambas Islands on July 27th, after it took on Cambodia’s first-ever oil production from an offshore field.
“I am worried,” Cambodia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy spokesman Cheap Suor said. “We have already requested (for) a long time to send them back, the oil, the vessel, and the crew who stole it, and left without permission from the Cambodian authorities.”
According to local media, Indonesia’s navy is preparing to charge the vessel’s master for loading oil illegally in Cambodia and for anchoring without permission in Indonesian waters.
World Tankers Management, operators of MT Strovolos, said: “We regret to report that some members of the crew have been detained ashore by the Indonesian authorities and remain so detained whilst the remaining crew are stuck on board the vessel unable to disembark.”
