According to DSI spokesman Pol Maj Woranan Srilam, the DSI held discussions yesterday (Apr 7) with the Department of Energy Business (DOEB) and the Department of Excise to compare oil transport records, including shipping documents and excise tax certificates.
They found that the number of vessel routes increased from 96 to 99, prompting investigators to match the routes to oil deliveries and vessels, reports the Bangkok Post.
“Normally, the cargo capacity of each ship varies,” said Pol Maj Woranan. “Some carry only one type of oil, while others carry multiple types. Therefore, relevant agencies need to jointly verify the figures to ensure they match,” he said.
“We also found some ships are taking longer than usual to travel, especially on routes from the eastern to the southern regions.”
Many of the vessels departed from the refineries in Chonburi’s Sri Racha district and Rayong and were heading south, he added.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon Naowarat said the DSI must submit evidence on the case to the ministry, including the total number of transportation routes and fuel delivery records.
Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon added that the Maritime Enforcement Command Centre (MECC) has begun to submit the fuel destination investigation report to the ministry.
The report logs each vessel’s name and its destinations for up to the past 90 days, he said.
A day earlier, he said the missing fuel had been unloaded from tankers onto smaller vessels.
Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon said investigations are ongoing to determine if the missing amount may reach up to 70 million litres. Investigations will also expand to the provinces of Songkhla and Chumphon, he said.
He confirmed that the stolen oil was syphoned from one vessel to another using a transfer method known as ship-to-ship. The vessels in question worked for many refineries.
Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon said it remains unclear whether they are still in Thai waters or have anchored elsewhere.
He also stated that the investigation found no fault in the fuel records of six refineries, as they were required to release their refined oil into the distribution system, which makes hoarding impossible.
He said all information will be presented to a committee for consideration as a special case tomorrow.