The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has seized two sand dredgers found carrying loads exceeding the permitted limit off southern Penang island, with the vessels and their cargo valued at an estimated RM400 million.
Penang MMEA director Maritime Captain Muhammad Sufi Mohd Ramli said the agency’s patrol boat intercepted the two dredgers about 2.7 nautical miles southwest of Pulau Rimau during a routine patrol. The seizure took place off the southeast coast of Penang island.
“Inspections found that each vessel was manned by 14 foreign crew members comprising five Indonesians and nine Chinese nationals, with the two vessels captained by Indonesian skippers aged 28 and 31,” [Bernama](https://www.bernama.com/misc/rss/news.php?id=2586196) reported, citing a statement from Sufi.
“Further inspections revealed that both vessels are suspected of committing offences under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO)1952 by carrying sand loads beyond the prescribed limit,” the statement said. Three crew members from each vessel were detained and taken to the Penang MMEA headquarters for further investigation.
Pulau Rimau sits in the waters south of Permatang Damar Laut and Penang airport, where reclamation works are under way for the creation of a 2,300-acre island to be called Silicon Island. [FMT](https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/02/two-overloaded-sand-dredgers-seized-off-penang) reported the project, to be completed in 2030, is intended as an extension of the Bayan Lepas free industrial zone. It is expected to house a depot for the Penang LRT, along with industrial, commercial and residential property and leisure facilities.
The statement did not disclose where the dredgers were bound.
