Pirates attack two ships in Indonesian waters in 48 hours

International news media reports Malaysian maritime officials as saying that a Malaysian oil tanker, carrying 900,000 litres of diesel has been hijacked and taken to Indonesian waters.

The Indonesian-flagged MT Vier Harmoni is understood to have been sailing from Tanjung Pelepas port in Malaysia on Monday when it was seized by pirates.

The ship's AIS transponder is believed to have been switched off but The Vier Harmoni, together with its 1.57m ringgit (€348794.57) cargo is understood to be off the Indonesian island of Batam.

The identity of the hijackers is not yet known.

The news comes just two days after the Singapore-flagged asphalt and bitumen product tanker Ad Matsu was attacked by pirates in South China Sea, 15 nautical miles north off Tanjung Berakit, in Indonesia. The vessel stormed by six armed men who approached in a faster boat and took control of the tanker.

After locking the crew in the mess room, the pirates ransacked the vessel, stealing all cash on board as well as the valuables belonging to the crew, before taking off in the direction of Malaysia. No injuries were reported.

One man, suspected of being one of the pirates has been arrested by the Indonesian Navy.