What Crew Members Say About Nora

In a significant development, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has released two tankers, the 'Nora' and 'Rcelebra', which were previously detained near Penang on allegations of conducting illegal ship-to-ship crude oil transfers valued at approximately US$129.9 million. The vessels were intercepted 24 nautical miles west of Muka Head, with their captains arrested for anchoring without the necessary permissions and engaging in unauthorized transfers. Prior to their release, the 'Rcelebra' was seen navigating south through the Malacca Strait, close to Port Dickson, exhibiting a low waterline indicative of a full cargo. Meanwhile, the 'Nora' was reportedly sailing westward, north of Aceh. Both tankers were transporting oil from Iran, which is currently under international sanctions, and were en route to China. The 'Nora', a 24-year-old tanker sanctioned by the United States since 2020, is suspected to be associated with the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) and is believed to be falsely registered under the flag of Guyana. Details regarding its classification and insurance remain ambiguous. On the other hand, the 'Rcelebra', built in 2005 and flagged in Cameroon, is owned by Capital Flat International Trading based in Hong Kong, and operated by Agility Trading. It is listed among the EU's sanctions against Ukraine and is classed by the Dubai-based Royal Classification Society. This incident further highlights the ongoing challenges in enforcing maritime sanctions against sanctioned entities.

In a significant enforcement action, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Maritim Malaysia) apprehended the tanker 'Rcelebra' (IMO: 9286073) for conducting an illicit Ship-to-Ship (STS) transfer with the 'Nora' approximately 24 nautical miles west of Muka Head, Penang, on January 29, 2026. Reports suggest that one of the involved vessels had been operating clandestinely for nearly a decade, while the other, the 'Nora,' is notorious for its last inspection being recorded in 2018. Alarmingly, the ownership details remained unknown, and it was falsely flagged under Guyana. During the unlawful operation, only about 78% of the crude oil was transferred before authorities intervened. The Penang State Maritime patrol received a tip-off about the tankers anchored and suspected of illicit oil transfer activities. Upon inspection, it was revealed that both vessels were coupled together, engaging in oil transfer operations with a diverse crew comprising 53 members hailing from China, Myanmar, Iran, Pakistan, and India. The estimated value of the seized crude oil surpassed RM512 million, while the tanks themselves were valued at RM718 million. Investigations into the incident are being conducted under Section 491B (1)(l) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, which pertains to unauthorized anchoring, and Section 491B (1)(k), relating to unapproved STS transfer activities, with penalties of RM100,000 and RM200,000 respectively for both vessels. The captains of the detained ships have also been arrested and are currently with the Penang State Maritime investigation officer for further proceedings in line with legal stipulations. Following the seizures and subsequent investigations, both vessels seemingly vanished from the area. The 'Nora' was found empty and navigated away from the Malacca Straits into the Indian Ocean 'for orders,' while the 'Rcelebra' was detected east of the Singapore Straits, presumably transporting the oil cargo to China. For more details and images, visit: https://maritime-executive.com/article/tankers-sail-off-after-malaysia-finds-them-cojoined-and-stops-illegal-sts.

In a recent transaction, a vessel has been acquired by the Hong Kong-based shipping company, Kunlun Shipping. The sale price is reported to be around $24 million, marking a significant addition to Kunlun Shipping's fleet. This acquisition underscores the company's strategic expansion in the maritime sector.