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Singapore marine fuels firm WT Marine in OFAC sanctions blacklist

Tan Wee Beng, a director and significant shareholder of Wee Tiong (S) Pte Ltd, now wanted by the FBI.

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The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Thursday designated two Singapore-based entities and an individual for laundering money in support of North Korea.

The two entities are marine fuels company WT Marine Pte Ltd and commodity trading house Wee Tiong (S) Pte Ltd; the individual is Tan Wee Beng, a director and significant shareholder of Wee Tiong. 

Over several years, dating back to at least 2011, Tan Wee Beng and at least one other individual in his company fulfilled millions of dollars in commodities contracts for North Korea, according to OFAC.

To do so, Tan Wee Beng made a concerted effort to obfuscate payment origins and structure transactions to avoid regulatory scrutiny.  He and his co-conspirators also knew of and took efforts to evade financial sanctions on North Korea. 

In at least one instance, when a wire payment was rejected, Tan Wee Beng and Wee Tiong (S) Pte Ltd orchestrated payment in bulk cash, hand-delivered to a North Korean. 

In 2017, the JW JEWEL (IMO: 9402964) and NYMEX STAR (IMO: 9078191), both Singapore-flagged oil tankers operated and managed by WT Marine Pte Ltd, engaged in illicit economic activity that involves or supports the Government of North Korea. 

“Tan Wee Beng and his co-conspirators made deliberate efforts to launder money through the U.S. financial system on behalf of North Korea,” said OFAC Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. 

“Governments, financial institutions, and other companies worldwide need to be on high alert to these types of schemes.  The U.S. government will not overlook these deceptive practices. 

“We are deeply committed to the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea, and Treasury will continue to enforce and implement sanctions until that time.”

The following individual has been added to OFAC's SDN List:

TAN, Wee Beng, 51 Siang Kuang Avenue, Singapore; DOB 14 Feb 1977; Gender Male; Secondary sanctions risk: North Korea Sanctions Regulations, sections 510.201 and 510.210; Director of Wee Tiong (S) Pte Ltd; Managing Director of WT Marine Pte Ltd (individual) [DPRK].

The following entities have been added to OFAC's SDN List:

WEE TIONG (S) PTE LTD (a.k.a. WEE TIONG S PTE LTD), 1813 Geylang Bahru, #01-01 Kallang Distripark 339715, Singapore; 64D Kallang Pudding Road, #02-00, Wee Tiong Building 349323, Singapore; 02-00 Wee Tiong Building, 64D, Kallang Pudding Road 349323, Singapore; 1805 Geylang Bahru #01-03 339711, Singapore; Secondary sanctions risk: North Korea Sanctions Regulations, sections 510.201 and 510.210; Registration Number 199308567K [DPRK].

WT MARINE PTE LTD, #11-09 Parkway Parade 449269, Singapore; 64D Kallang Pudding Road, #09-00 Wee Tiong Building 349323, Singapore; Secondary sanctions risk: North Korea Sanctions Regulations, sections 510.201 and 510.210; Registration Number 201616714Z [DPRK].

The following vessels have been added to OFAC's SDN List:

JW JEWEL Singapore flag; Secondary sanctions risk: North Korea Sanctions Regulations, sections 510.201 and 510.210; Vessel Registration Identification IMO 9402964 (vessel) [DPRK] (Linked To: WT MARINE PTE LTD).

NYMEX STAR Singapore flag; Secondary sanctions risk: North Korea Sanctions Regulations, sections 510.201 and 510.210; Vessel Registration Identification IMO 9078191 (vessel) [DPRK] (Linked To: WT MARINE PTE LTD).

Photo credit: FBI
Published: 26 October, 2018

 

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Business

Hong Kong-based bunker trading firm E-Marine expands ops with new Shanghai branch office

The HONG KONG E-MARINE SHANGHAI BRANCH will assist E-Marine’s head office in handling bunker trading operations and increase overall bonded bunker trading volumes at China.

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E Marine Shanghai office front

Hong Kong-based marine fuel and lubricant trading company Hongkong E-Marine Supply Service Corporation Limited (E-Marine) on April 15 launched a branch office in Shanghai, learned Manifold Times.

The company HONG KONG E-MARINE SHANGHAI BRANCH will assist the head office in handling bunker trading operations and increase overall bonded bunker trading volumes at China, Managing Director Darcy Wang told the bunkering publication.

“The Shanghai office serves as our China business support and coordination centre. It enables us to stay close to our customers, suppliers and business partners, while also providing access to a deep pool of industry talent,” he shared.

This development is in line the target to significantly increase our annual bonded bunkering portfolio in China to 1 million metric tonnes (mt) by 2030.

“As we continue to expand our presence in China, we welcome capable and motivated individuals who share our long-term vision to join our Shanghai office.”

E-Marine’s new Shanghai office address is as follows:

Shanghai Xuhui District
Chang Ning Road No.889
Shanghai Yang Guang Bin Jiang Center
Unit 22-13

Candidates interested in growing together with E-Marine are invited to send their CV or profile to [email protected].

E Marine Shanghai office tea cups

Related: E-Marine raising China bonded bunker trading portfolio to 1 million mt by 2030, seeks talents
RelatedHong Kong-based bunker trading firm E-Marine obtains ISCC EU certification
RelatedHong Kong-based bunker trading firm E-Marine introduces Global Sales & Procurement Manager
RelatedHong Kong-based bunker trading firm E-Marine expands operations with Singapore branch
RelatedBunker and lube trading firm Hongkong E-Marine Supply Service to open Singapore branch by June

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 4 June 2026

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Biofuel

BHP and GCMD trial multi-feedstock B100 bio bunker fuel on bulk carrier

Bio-blend in the BHP and GCMD pilot is being used on a BHP-chartered bulk carrier “Berge Lyngor”, which was bunkered in Singapore in early May.

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BHP and GCMD trial multi-feedstock B100 bio bunker fuel on bulk carrier

BHP and the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) on Wednesday (3 June) said they have blended biofuels from two distinct feedstocks—used cooking oil and waste animal fats —and introduced the lower-emissions marine fuel into a BHP-chartered bulk carrier as part of a pilot project.

The bio-blend in the BHP and GCMD pilot is being used on a BHP-chartered bulk carrier Berge Lyngor, owned and operated by Berge Bulk, transporting BHP iron ore from Western Australia to China. When run on bio-blend, the vessel has the potential to reduce well-to-wake greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 79 per cent per voyage compared to sailing on very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO).

The vessel bunkered in Singapore in early May with a B100 bio-blend comprising 50 percent tallow-derived biodiesel, sourced and supplied by HAMR Energy, and 50 per cent used cooking oil (UCOME) supplied by Mitsui & Co Energy Trading Singapore (METS).

Mitsui also blended the fuel and Dan-Bunkering coordinated and executed the bunkering operation, which was performed by Global Energy’s barge MT Maple.

The BHP and GCMD pilot will assess how biofuels from multiple feedstocks can be blended, handled, and introduced under real-world operating conditions using existing used cooking oil bunkering infrastructure.

At the same time, insights from this pilot will help identify solutions to challenges related to fuel quality, handling, traceability, and onboard vessel performance.

Biofuels for global shipping today rely heavily on used cooking oil – a feedstock whose availability is approaching its projected limits. Biofuel from waste animal fats presents a promising option to expand the supply of lower-emissions marine fuels.

The outcomes of the pilot are expected to shed light on the practical steps to integrate biofuel blends from different feedstocks into existing supply chains. The diversity of biofuels will provide shipowners and operators with greater flexibility to optimise fuel procurement based on cost, availability, and lifecycle emissions performance.

Biofuels derived from different feedstocks can exhibit varying properties that may impact operations, including potential corrosion from oxidation, fuel system clogging caused by wax formation, which this pilot aims to assess.

The pilot will trace and verify the biofuel blend’s integrity aimed at bolstering confidence in emissions reductions reporting. The pilot will also provide insights into how robust tracing can support future marine fuel supply chains where biofuels from multiple feedstocks with varying lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions footprints are blended together.

This project is co-funded by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore under the Maritime Innovation and Technology Fund (MINT).

 

Photo credit: Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation
Published: 3 June, 2026

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Biofuel

NYK starts one-year B100 bio bunker fuel trial on car carrier

In this trial, NYK will operate a car carrier continuously on B100 for one year to evaluate the impact on engines, fuel supply systems, and operational practices.

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NYK starts one-year B100 bio bunker fuel trial on car carrier

Japanese shipping firm NYK on Tuesday (2 June) said it has commenced a one-year long-term trial involving the continuous use of 100% biofuel (B100) on an NYK-operated car carrier. 

In this trial, NYK will operate a car carrier continuously on B100 for one year to evaluate the impact on engines, fuel supply systems, and operational practices. High-purity biofuels such as B100 are known to be susceptible to degradation from oxygen, light, and heat, raising concerns about the stability of such fuels during long-term use.

In this trial, the biofuel primarily comprises FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) derived from used cooking oil and similar feedstocks.

The initiative is designed to evaluate the fuel’s effects on the vessel’s equipment and verify operational safety under real-world conditions. 

Through this effort, NYK seeks to accumulate technical expertise that will support the broader use of high-purity biofuels and further accelerate efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

NYK has been advancing the use of biofuels through various initiatives. In 2024, the company conducted a trial using biofuel blend B24 and subsequently expanded practical usage to B30. However, the company said there remains limited global experience with the long-term continuous use of B100.

“By collecting long-term operational data through this trial, NYK aims to accumulate valuable technical insights to support both the safe operation of vessels and the wider adoption of high-purity biofuels,” it said. 

 

Photo credit: NYK
Published: 3 June, 2026

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