Singapore ship detained for illegal fuel sales

Singapore ship detained for illegal fuel sales

Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post/Makassar

A Singapore-flagged vessel, the GN Gallant, was detained early on
Friday morning off Selayar for allegedly transporting and selling
diesel without official documents.

The cargo ship is now tied up in Pamatata port in Selayar
regency while its captain and five crew members, all Indonesians,
are questioned by the police.

Selayar Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Bayu Eka Rida Rianto said
on Friday that the ship had been detained while pumping diesel to
a fishing boat operating in off Selayar.

"We have followed the ship's activities closely over the past
few days, and at last we have caught it red-handed selling diesel
to a fishing boat here," said Bayu.

Based on their preliminary investigations, the police found
that the vessel regularly sold diesel to local fishing boats.

When it was detained on Friday morning, it was carrying 71
tons of diesel.

The diesel was being sold for Rp 600,000 per 200-liter drum,
or Rp 3,000 a liter, much more cheaper than the price in
Indonesia, which now stands at Rp 4,300 a liter.

The ship's captain, Darwin, admitted that he had bought the
diesel in Singapore and was selling it to local Selayar
fishermen.