The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said it received an alert on Monday that fire had broken out at 4pm on the Gabonese-flagged Aframax Pablo, 37.5 nautical miles northeast of Tanjung Sedili.
A search and rescue operation is continuing for three missing crewmembers. The Tanker MS ENOLA assisted in the recue of 18 crew from the tanker,Singapore’s Maritime and port Authority said in a statement on its website on Tuesday. Seven other crew were picked up by other vessels in the area.
The Gabonese-flagged tanker Pablo, built in 1997, has changed hands three times in recent years.
The Gabonese-flag is a flag of choice for companies seeking to circumvent sanctions, is listed as being owned by Pablo Union Shipping, a one-ship company based in the Marshall Islands.
These vessels are often associated with the dark fleet of tankers now comprises 10% of seaborne oil transport.
