Second small oil tanker goes missing in Malaysia this month

SINGAPORE - A small-sized oil tanker went missing off the coast of southern Malaysia and close to Singapore over the weekend in what could be the second hijack of such a vessel since the start of the month, media and maritime officials said on Monday.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said the 7,300 deadweight tonne (DWT) MT Orkim Harmony disappeared 30 nautical miles from Tanjung Sedili, off Johor waters, over the weekend, carrying nearly 7.5 million litres of RON95 petrol.

The Orkim Harmony is operated by shipping company Orkim Ship Management. "Orkim Sdn Bhd (Orkim) regretfully confirms the report issued by Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) that the Company has lost contact with its vessel Orkim Harmony early morning 12 June 2015," the ship's operator said in a statement.

The MMEA said there would be an official briefing at 0700 GMT.

On June 4, domestic media reported that another tanker from the same company, the 7,100 DWT oil tanker Orkim Victory, was hijacked in the area.