The Naninwa Maru 1, loaded with 4,344 tonnes of diesel was 16 nm off Pulau Ketam when it was boarded by armed pirates.
“The incident occurred at about 1am and it was only realised by the crew members when they saw about five or six men armed with a pistol and a parang aboard the ship,” Port Klang Marine Police commander DSP Norzaid Muhammad Said, was quoted as saying in the Malaysian Star.
“All of the victims were tied and locked in a room,” he said. The vessel reportedly had a crew of 18.
Two smaller tankers then approached the Japanese tanker and offloaded around 2,500 tonnes of the cargo. Ant-piracy centre ReCAAP said one of the vessels was Mongolian-flagged.
The pirates then fled after around five or six hours. When the crew managed to free themselves they found the master, the chief officer and chief engineer, all Indonesian, had been taken hostage.
“We suspect that they have been kidnapped by the suspects,” Norzaid said.
The crew comprised Indonesian, Thai, Myanmar and Indian nationals.
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