Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Tensions are reported in the South China Sea (LCS). China’s coast guard fleets are reportedly on standby at close range to the Malaysian Navy (Navy) complementary vessels.
This occurred as a result of China’s efforts to ‘disrupt’ Malaysia’s exploration of hydrocarbons off the coast of Sarawak. Exploration related to drilling for petroleum and natural gas in the LCS.
Quoted CNBC Indonesia, from the released report Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) at CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies), it was reported that the China Coast Guard 5402 was operating just 44 nautical miles from Malaysia’s Sarawak State last week.
|
Photo: China, Malaysia (CSIS) China, Malaysia (CSIS)- – |
In the history of its journey, CCG 5402 has indeed sailed several times into Kuala Lumpur’s exclusive economic zone. In early November, the ship had even docked at Luconia Shoals which is said to belong to Malaysia.
According to the report, Malaysia responded by sending the Malaysian Navy auxiliary ship, Bunga Mas Lima. This ship managed to shadow the 5402 for at least a few days.
“The GPS broadcasts ejected from Bunga Mas Lima were not very clear during this period, but satellite imagery on November 13 showed the ships were only 3 nautical miles away,” the report said, quoted Friday (27/11/2020).
“On November 12, 5402 headed 40 nautical miles east of Luconia Shoals for a quick patrol before returning to post. It seems they were intrigued by the arrival of a new refinery, Borr Drilling’s Gunnlod, which had been towed to the site just days earlier.”
Gunnlod is in block SK410B. Exploration is carried out under a contract with PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) Thailand.
The company made its biggest discovery a few miles south of the current Gunnlod site in 2019. This led to 5402 returning to the area on November 19 and approaching within 2 nautical miles of the rig.
The report wrote that the Malaysian ship warned the Chinese 5402 vessel to stop the attempt. Previously, China was also said to have done the same thing with Vietnamese fishing boats.
 Photo: China, Malaysia (CSIS)China, Malaysia (CSIS)- – |
The Royal Malaysian Navy also deployed a second ship, KD Keris. The keris sailed direct from Sabah to the Gunnlod site and stayed for one day before following 5402 back to Luconia Shoals.
“The two ships were maneuvering there for several days. When 5402 left for another patrol west of the Luconia Shoals on November 24, the Keris followed him back,” the report said.
“As of November 25, Gunnlod remains at the site in Block SK410B and 5402 has not left the site.”
China claims 80% of the LCS via the ‘dotted line’. This creates tension with many ASEAN countries. LCS is a sea rich in oil and gas. There has been no confirmation from the two countries.
(Head / head)
– .
