Taiwan’s Coast Guard has just seized a mysterious Chinese barge carrying enough fuel for an entire fishing fleet. The unmarked vessel, carrying a massive 500,000 liters of fuel, appears to be part of China’s growing maritime encroachment on Taiwan’s sovereign waters.
At a glance:
• Taiwan’s Coast Guard intercepted an unregistered “three-no” Chinese fuel barge (no name, registration, or home port) in restricted waters
• The vessel was carrying approximately 500,000 liters of fuel, likely intended to supply unauthorized Chinese fishing operations
• Six crew members, suspected to be Chinese nationals, were found without proper identification documents
• Under Taiwan’s Cross-Strait Act, the crew faces potential deportation, detention, and significant fines
• This incident occurs amid rising tensions between Chinese and Taiwanese maritime forces in the region
Ghost Ship Seized in Taiwanese Waters
Taiwan’s Coast Guard has successfully intercepted and seized a suspicious Chinese vessel operating illegally in restricted waters off Taiwan’s northwest coast. The “ghost ship” was completely unmarked, lacking a name, registration numbers, and home port – a clear sign of illicit activity in the contested waters.
The fuel barge, carrying a massive 500,000 liters of fuel, was likely part of China’s strategy to support unauthorized Chinese fishing operations in areas under Taiwanese jurisdiction. The bold seizure points to Taiwan’s continued commitment to defending its maritime boundaries despite increasing pressure from Beijing.
The vessel deliberately ignored multiple contact attempts by Taiwanese authorities and attempted to evade inspection before being captured. All six crew members aboard were found without proper identification documents, suggesting deliberate concealment of their activities.
Escalating Maritime Tensions
This incident comes amid a pattern of aggressive Chinese maritime activity in the Taiwan Strait. Just days earlier, China’s Coast Guard seized a Taiwanese fishing vessel, the Da Jin Man No. 88, near the Kinmen Islands.
During that confrontation, four additional Chinese Coast Guard vessels arrived to overwhelm the three Taiwanese Coast Guard ships responding to the scene. The Chinese forces flatly refused Taiwan’s request to release the vessel and instructed Taiwanese authorities not to interfere with their operations.
Legal Consequences for Chinese Crew
Under Taiwan’s Cross-Strait Act, vessel intrusion can lead to serious penalties for the crew and owners. The unauthorized Chinese nationals face potential expulsion, detention, investigation, and substantial fines for their illegal activities in Taiwanese waters.
Taiwan’s authorities must issue a ruling on the vessel within three months according to maritime law. The crew members have been required to provide identification verification through messaging apps while remaining in custody until their identities are confirmed.
Taiwan’s Coast Guard has recently increased patrols and enforcement actions specifically targeting fuel supply ships to curb illegal Chinese operations.
