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Dan-Bunkering, Bunker Holding and CEO guilty of Syria sanctions violations; fined USD 5.17 million in total

Dan-Bunkering was fined USD 4.56 million; Bunker Holding received a USD 610,000 penalty while its CEO Keld R Demant faces a conditional prison sentence of four months in prison, according to court judgement.

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Disclaimer: An online translation service was used in the production of the current editorial piece which is based from the Court of Odense’s judgement.

The Court in Odense on Tuesday (14 December) found Dan-Bunkering, Bunker Holding and its CEO guilty of sanctions violations where the parties negligently supplied a total of approximately 172,000 metric tonnes (mt) of jet fuel for use in Syria, according to the judgement seen by Manifold Times.

The violations specifically relate to eight trades of jet fuel that took place in the period between the period of February to May 2017.

Dan-Bunkering was found to had sold jet fuel to two Russian companies which were general agents for the Russian navy and conducted a total of 33 trades with deliveries to the eastern Mediterranean in the period between October 2015 to May 2017.

In all cases, the trades were concluded from Dan-Bunkering’s branch office in Kaliningrad, Russia.

A review of the trade documents, mails, unloading documents and AIS data proved the Russian companies, after receiving the jet fuel from Dan-Bunkering, had delivered the jet fuel in the Syrian port of Port Banias after which the jet fuel had been used by the Russian air force for military operations in Syria.

“The Court found that the deliveries objectively constituted infringements of EU sanctions,” stated the judgement.

Opinion of the judges at court

The majority of the judges found it was “overwhelmingly probable” that Dan-Bunkering must have realised the jet fuel would be used by the Russian military in Syria for all 33 trades, according to the judgement.

Further, since the trades were entered into by Russian employees at Dan-Bunkering’s branch office in Kaliningrad the staff must have been aware of the Russian intervention in Syria.

It was also emphasised the two Russian companies had not purchased jet fuel from Dan-Bunkering prior to October 2015; based on the amount of jet fuel delivered and on Dan-Bunkering’s knowledge that the two companies were general agents of the Russian fleet – the jet fuel should be used by the Russian military.

The minority at the court found that since one Russian company was sanctioned by the US authorities from September 2016, it was only after that date which Dan-Bunkering committed an intentional violation of EU sanctions.

The same group also agreed Dan-Bunkering negligently violated sanctions as the company should have realised the Russian companies supplied jet fuel for use in Syria which is in violation of EU sanctions.

Unanimously, the judges found Bunker Holding and Keld R. Demant to have contributed to a negligent violation of EU sanctions. Both should have stopped trading with the Russian company after the Danish Business Authority’s inquiry to Dan-Bunkering in December 2016, and after internal investigations by the group.

Prosecution and defence’s recommendations to the judge

The prosecution demanded Dan-Bunkering, Bunker Holding and its CEO be sentenced in accordance with the indictment.

They argued Dan-Bunkering should be fined DKK 319 million (USD 48.54 million) corresponding to approximately half of the amount for which jet fuel had been sold.

Bunker Holding should be fined DKK 81 million (USD 12.32 million) while its CEO Keld R. Demant should be punished with imprisonment for two years, according to principles related to the eight trades of jet fuel.

Lawyers representing the defendants maintained their claims of acquittal and argued a possible fine to the companies was to be calculated on the basis of the companies’ profits from the trades which amounted to less than 3%.

Court’s judgement

By the court’s judgment, Dan-Bunkering was fined DKK 30 million (USD 4.56 million), and Bunker Holding received a DKK 4 million (USD 610,000) fine.

Both fines are measured on the basis of the companies’ profits from the trades; the fine for Dan-Bunkering’s intentional violation of the rules is measured at approximately double the profit, while the fine for Bunker Holding’s negligent infringement is measured so that it roughly corresponds to the profit of the last eight trades of jet fuel.

CEO Keld R. Demant has been sentenced to four months in prison, which has been made conditional.

The court also emphasised, amongst other things, that Keld R. Demant is only punished for negligent violation of the sanctions.

In addition, Dan-Bunkering has confiscated the dividends from the traders which have been calculated by the court to be approximately DKK 15.65 million (USD 2.38 million).

Editor’s note: The judgement from the Court in Odense written in Danish can be found here.

Note: Earlier Manifold Times coverage regarding Bunker Holding/Dan-Bunkering’s alleged breaches of EU sanctions can be found below:

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Related: Danish prosecutor proposes jail sentence for Bunker Holding Group CEO over jet fuel sale
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Related: Nordea highlights stance on compliance after Dan-Bunkering discovery
Related: Danish media alleges Dan-Bunkering jet fuel deliveries during Syria war

 

Photo credit: Sasun Bughdaryan on Unsplash
Published: 14 December, 2021

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Technology

Singapore: MPA working with industry on next phase of digital bunkering, says Deputy CE

‘We are now working with industry on the next phase, trialling capabilities to further strengthen the integrity and quality of bunker data shared between stakeholders and MPA,’ says David Foo.

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Secure systems, trusted data and reliable digital services are becoming as important to maritime operations as physical infrastructure, said Mr David Foo, Deputy Chief Executive (Operations & Technology), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), on Thursday (10 September). 

In his opening keynote speech at APPEC 2026 Shipping And Bunker Conference, Foo said OCEANS-X, Digital Bunkering and the Maritime Digital Twin are enabling trusted data sharing, better operational planning and the testing of new digital solutions.

Foo said since 2025, digital bunkering has strengthened the efficiency and transparency of bunker operations. 

“We are now working with industry on the next phase, trialling capabilities to further strengthen the integrity and quality of bunker data shared between stakeholders and MPA.” he said.

He also said MPA is taking a forward-looking approach to the energy transition.

“Over the coming decades, we are likely to see the most diverse marine fuel mix in shipping’s history. There may not be a single fuel of the future.”

“Our role as a global bunkering hub is therefore not to determine which fuel will prevail. Our role is to ensure that whichever fuels the industry adopts, Singapore is ready – with the infrastructure, standards and operational capabilities to support them.”

Foo said MPA is making concrete progress across the major alternative fuel pathways with the issuance of methanol bunkering licences and the commencement of methanol bunkering operations. 

“For ammonia, we are developing the regulatory and operational frameworks needed to support future commercial deployment. We are also facilitating greater use of sustainable biofuels,” he said.

At the same time, MPA continues to expand its LNG bunkering ecosystem, with additional licences issued this year. 

“This will broaden supply options as more LNG-fuelled vessels enter the global fleet. We have also just updated our LNG standards, while maintaining the high standards of safety and reliability that underpin Singapore’s reputation as a trusted bunkering hub,” Foo added.

Related: MPA Chief Executive: Port of Singapore begins digital bunkering initiative today
Related: Singapore: Golden Island, GET, and PetroChina to receive methanol bunkering licences
Related: Singapore: Equatorial Marine Fuel among eight selected for new LNG bunkering licences
Related: Singapore strengthens LNG bunkering framework with new SS 727 standard

 

Photo credit: Swapnil Bapat on Unsplash
Published: 10 September, 2026

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Financial Result

Singapore-based Uni-Fuels H1 2026 net income jumps 1,415% to USD 1.4 million

Company delivered record first-half financial results, achieving its highest first-half revenue, gross profit, income from operations, net income and EBITDA since its inception.

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Uni-Fuels Holdings Limited (Uni-Fuels), a global provider of marine fuel solutions headquartered in Singapore, on Wednesday (9 September) announced its unaudited interim financial results for the first half of 2026, ending on 30 June.

The company delivered record first-half financial results, achieving its highest first-half revenue, gross profit, income from operations, net income and EBITDA since its inception.

The company’s net income increased 1,415% to USD 1.4 million for the first half of 2026, compared to USD 0.1 million in the corresponding period of 2025.

Revenue increased 72% year-over-year to USD 197.1 million, from USD 114.6 million in the corresponding period of 2025 while gross profit also increased 158% year-over-year to USD 5.3 million, from USD 2.1 million in the corresponding period of 2025.

Gross profit margin expanded to 2.7% in the first half of 2026, from 1.8% in the corresponding period of 2025, representing a 50% improvement. 

For its 2026 outlook, the company is raising its full-year 2026 revenue guidance to a range of USD 340 million to USD 360 million, from its previous guidance range of USD 320 million to USD 340 million, reflecting stronger-than-expected first-half performance and continued commercial momentum.

Koh Kuan Hua, Chief Executive Officer of Uni-Fuels, said: “Our first-half 2026 results demonstrate the strength of our commercial execution and the agility of our business model.” 

“As geopolitical developments and market volatility continued to influence global oil markets, we remained focused on delivering reliable supply solutions and value-added services to our customers. 

“Our ability to respond quickly to changing market dynamics while maintaining disciplined execution contributed to significant improvements in revenue, profitability and operating performance. 

“We believe this momentum positions us well for the remainder of the year, as reflected in our increased full-year 2026 revenue guidance of USD 340 million to USD 360 million.”

 

Photo credit: Uni-Fuels
Published: 10 September, 2026

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Incident

Peninsula confirms one fatality, crew member missing from bunker tanker “Hercules Star”

Firm says one member of the crew is missing following an incident whilst at anchorage off Dubai and a specialist team is working to locate them.

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Marine fuels supplier Peninsula on Wednesday (9 September) confirmed that its bunker tanker Hercules Star was involved in an incident whilst at anchorage off Dubai.

“It is with deep sadness and regret that we confirm one fatality. Peninsula is in contact with their family and providing all the necessary support at this time,” the company said in a statement.

“In addition, one member of the crew is missing and a specialist team is working to locate them. All other crew members are accounted for.”

The company added it is working with all relevant parties to monitor developments.

“This is an ongoing incident and updates will be issued in due course when we have more details,” Peninsula added. 

According to a Reuters report citing preliminary assessments by maritime security sources, the vessel may have been struck by a drone.

The report also said the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) received a report of a vessel listing while at anchor about 24 nautical miles off the UAE’s Port Rashid, with the condition “possibly indicating water ingress following an attack from an unknown projectile”.

 

Photo credit: Peninsula
Published: 10 September, 2026

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