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Shell MGO bunker heist: Chemical oil tanker “M/T Prime South” forfeited by State Courts of Singapore

Pai Kheng Pheng of Sentek Marine & Trading Pte Ltd on Thursday (8 October) was ordered remanded for a further week for investigations, AGC spokesperson informs Manifold Times.

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The chemical oil tanker M/T Prime South, which was seized on 8 January 2018 due to its involvement in the Shell MGO heist, has been forfeited by the State Courts of Singapore on Friday (9 October), learned Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.

Principal District Judge (PDJ) Ong Hian Sun deem the forfeiture of M/T Prime South to the state appropriate under section 364(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), according to documents provided by the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).

The learned PDJ found Prime Shipping Corporation, a Vietnamese company that is the registered owner of M/T Prime South, to be complicit in the misappropriation of gasoil from Shell Pulau Bukom through the acts of Tran Quan Tuan, its former Chairman, Tran faces 22 charges for abetting the dishonest receipt of stolen gasoil and currently remains at large.

A factor which weighed heavily in favour of forfeiture was M/T Prime South being extensively used to receive misappropriated gasoil from Shell Pulau Bukom.

PDJ Ong also found forfeiture to be appropriate due to the gravity of the serious offences that were committed using M/T Prime South, given the sheer quantum and value of gasoil misappropriated.

In total, Shell lost an estimated SGD 198 million over a span of three years; investigations found two teams of Shell employees, namely team ‘A’ and ‘D’ respectively misappropriating an estimated SGD 128 million and SGD 70 million in gasoil between at least 2014 and 2018.

To date, probes revealed all eight vessels owned or operated by Prime Shipping Corporation had stopped at Shell Pulau Bukom between 2016 and 2018 to receive stolen gasoil totalling an estimated USD 33 million.

Over USD 7 million was received by M/T Prime South; the remaining seven vessels include M/T Prime South, M/T Prime Splendour, M/T Gaea and M/T Prime Sun.

Forfeiture, as such, will also deter Prime Shipping Corporation from using or allowing its other vessels to be used for offences at the bunkering port of Singapore.

M/T Prime South is valued at about USD 4.5million (or USD 3 million at forced sale).

Relation of case to Sentek Marine & Trading

The above development is related to a recent charge faced by the Founder of Singapore bunker supplier Sentek Marine & Trading, Pai Keng Pheng, according to an AGC spokesperson.

“This is related to the Pai Keng Pheng / Sentek arrest and charging, as both arise from the Shell Bukom case, although Sentek has nothing to do with this ship, which is owned by the Vietnamese company Prime Shipping,” a spokesperson told Manifold Times on Friday (9 October).

“Our case is that Prime Shipping and Sentek were companies that separately bought the misappropriated fuel from the rogue Shell Bukom employees. PKP was ordered to be remanded for a further week for investigations yesterday [8 October].”

Legal commentary on forfeiture by Helmsmen LLC

The forfeiture of a ship relates to the confiscation of property used to commit an offence. Singapore judges have discretion under the Criminal Procedure Code (section 364(2)) to make an order forfeiting property to the state.  A forfeiture order may be made either during or after the conclusion of criminal proceedings, according to Maureen Poh, Director of international shipping and commodity law firm Helmsman LLC.

The purposes of a forfeiture order are: (a) a form of punishment; (b) a deterrent to future crimes; (c) a way to prevent crime by removing the means that facilitated its commission; and (d) to ensure that the defendant cannot benefit from the proceedings of his crime.  Singapore’s Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act is another way in which the proceedings of criminal acts may be forfeited by the state.

Forfeiture of a ship is a rather uncommon measure meted out by the courts.  The state must prove the connection between the property and the defendant’s criminal conduct.  Third party interests in the ship might also play a role, for example, where the bank has a mortgage over the ship.

Earlier coverage of developments regarding the Shell MGO bunker heist can be found below:

Related: Shell MGO bunker heist: Founder of Sentek face charge at State Courts of Singapore
Related: Singapore: Shell MGO bunker heist amount balloons to USD$142 million
RelatedShell MGO bunker heist update: Fresh charges issued at Singapore court
RelatedShell Singapore oil heist: More charges issued at court
RelatedShell Singapore oil heist: Nine charged offered bail
RelatedSingapore bunker employee faces additional charges
RelatedIntertek Singapore employee among Shell oil heist suspects
RelatedShell Singapore oil heist update: More individuals charged
RelatedShell Singapore oil heist: Shipowner should have conducted a charterer check
RelatedFuel syndicate busted at Singapore Shell Bukom
RelatedShell Singapore oil heist: Breakdown of stolen oil cargoes

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 12 October, 2020

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Winding up

Singapore: High Court to hear Norvic Shipping Asia winding up application on 31 July

Application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to Government Gazette notice.

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An application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to a Tuesday (21 July) notice on the Government Gazette.

It noted the winding up application is directed to be heard before the Judge sitting in the General Division of the High Court at 10am on 31 July.

Any creditor or contributory of the company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the winding up application may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose.

A copy of the winding up application will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the company requiring the copy of the winding up application by the solicitors of the applicant’s, Oon & Bazul LLC, on payment of the regulated charge for the same.

The Applicant’s address is Hiridostraat 5, Gebouw Prismatrium, 1101CW Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The Applicant’s solicitors are Oon & Bazul LLC of 103 Penang Rd, #04-04/05/06 Singapore 238467. 

Queries on the winding up application may be directed to the following email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected].

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.

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World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

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HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

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