Tanker owner denies allegations Cambodian oil loaded illegally

KrisEnergy

26/08/2021 01:52

SINGAPORE, Aug 26 (Reuters) - World Tankers Management,
operators of the oil tanker MT Strovolos, said the tanker and
its crew were detained by Indonesian authorities on allegations
it loaded oil illegally in Cambodia and did not have permission
to anchor in Indonesian waters.
    "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," the company said in a statement released
late on Wednesday.
    World Tankers denied allegations that the oil had been
loaded illegally and that the ship did not have permission to
anchor in Indonesian waters.
    MT Strovolos loaded about 300,000 barrels of crude oil in
the Apsara field in the Gulf of Thailand on May 21 based on the
understanding that the cargo belonged to the charterers, the
company said.
    However, charterers of the ship defaulted on payment and
terminated its service when the vessel had called at Thailand
for crew change and refuelling, but was unsuccessful, World
Tankers said.
    Subsequently, MT Strovolos sailed to Batam, Indonesia, to
make a crew change but was detained by local authorities, the
company said.
    The Apsara field is operated by Singapore-listed KrisEnergy
(KRIS.SI) which said on June 4 that it was "unable to pay its
debts based on actual and/or contingent liabilities and will
proceed to liquidation".  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL2N2NS1L2
    The Indonesian Navy and KrisEnergy could not be immediately
reached for comment.
    

 (Reporting by Florence Tan; Editing by Michael Perry)
 ((Florence.Tan@thomsonreuters.com; Reuters Messaging:
florence.tan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))