By Trend News Line 2024-07-04 17:52:25.
The Chinese Ship Suspected of Raiding World War II Wrecks Detained by Malaysian Authorities
In a recent development, the Chinese dredger known as MV Chuan Hong 68 has been detained by Malaysian maritime authorities. This action comes after suspicions arose regarding the vessel’s involvement in plundering two World War II Royal Navy shipwrecks last year. The entire crew of MV Chuan Hong 68 is currently being held for paperwork violations, including issues related to port clearances and the presence of 60 unregistered LPG containers aboard the ship. However, it is important to note that the detention is not directly linked to any illegal scavenging activities.
Questions Surrounding the Ship’s Reputation and Permits
The detention of MV Chuan Hong 68 has prompted questions regarding how a vessel with a purported “bad reputation” managed to return to Malaysian waters. Reports from Kuala Lumpur’s New Straits Times indicate that Malaysian investigators are looking into the circumstances surrounding the issuance of permits for the ship to conduct salvage operations on MV Armada in February and a wreck identified as “Maritime Fidelity” in September of last year, both located off the coast of Johor.
Suspected Plundering of Warships for Valuable Metals
The dredger’s suspected plundering of the two warships in May 2023 was allegedly carried out to extract valuable metals such as steel, aluminum, and brass fittings. These metals, produced before the advent of nuclear weapons testing, hold significant value in specialized manufacturing processes. During a boarding of MV Chuan Hong 68 in May 2023, inspectors discovered rusting artillery shells and other scrap believed to have originated from the sunken warships.
Investigations and Deleted Notices
Local authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the issuance of permits to MV Chuan Hong 68 and the subsequent deletion of salvage operation notices from the country’s maritime posting website. Malaysia’s National Heritage Department, Maritime Enforcement Agency, and Marine Department are all involved in the probe to determine how such permits were granted and subsequently removed from public view.
Past Incidents and International Concern
This is not the first time MV Chuan Hong 68 has come under scrutiny for its salvaging activities. In May last year, the vessel was detained for allegedly disturbing the wreckage of the Royal Navy battleship HMS Prince of Wales and battlecruiser HMS Repulse, both of which were sunk by Japanese bombers during World War II. The international community has expressed concern over the vulnerability of historic heritage sites to illegal salvaging operations, highlighting the need for increased protection of such sites.
Continued Suspicions and Ongoing Investigations
Recent reports suggest that MV Chuan Hong 68 is also suspected of illegal shipwreck salvaging in other regions, including Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Malaysian authorities have not provided any updates on the case since the initial detention of the vessel, raising concerns about the continued activities of MV Chuan Hong 68 in the region. The vessel’s repeated returns to the same operating area northeast of the Singapore Strait have raised further questions about its activities and intentions.
As investigations continue into the alleged plundering of World War II wrecks, the case of MV Chuan Hong 68 remains a focal point of scrutiny for maritime authorities and heritage preservation organizations. The need to protect historical sites and prevent illegal salvaging activities remains a priority for the international community..
1. Chinese Ship Suspected of Raiding World War II Wrecks Detained
2. Chinese Ship Detained for Suspected Raiding of World War II Wrecks.