Dutch vessel still detained for illegal sand dredging

Indonesian navy still detained the Dutch-flagged Amsterdam Zeist vessel at the Makobar dockyard in Batu Ampar Batam for illegally dredging sand in the waters near Batam island and Singapore, Riau Post reported.

Sea security commander of the West Armada Rear Admiral Mualimin said the vessel was detained on Monday for dredging sand in the water with an expired license.

Mualimin said the government would fine the companies which chartered the vessel - East Marine in Singapore and sand exporter PT Barelang Sugi Bulan - for losses caused by the vessel's sand dredging activities.

However, the 27 crew of the vessel would be left unpunished, he said. (*)