Seven crew have been picked up in the South China Sea after an apparent hijacking, but their Malaysian tug remains missing.



The saga began on 12 April when Wantas 6, towing a barge called Wantas VII, left Langkawi, Malaysia, for Tawau in Sabah.

 

The last contact with the master was on 16 April while the vessel was passing Batam, Indonesia.



On 26 April, the owner reported to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) that he had lost communication with the vessel.



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