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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:

Related: Dan-Bunkering trial: Defence lawyer pleads for full acquittal of clients in court
RelatedDan-Bunkering trial: Court denies request sending case to European Court of Justice
RelatedDan-Bunkering trial: Denmark also bombed Syria, confirms defence counsel
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Related: Dan-Bunkering trial: Prosecution examines revealing email to Group Directors
Related: Dan-Bunkering trial: Hearing resumes after accusation of impartiality
RelatedDan-Bunkering trial: Hearing temporarily suspended due to impartiality
Related: Prominent prosecutor to lead spectacular lawsuit against Dan-Bunkering
RelatedBunker Holding:  ‘No signs’ in alleged breach of EU sanctions post internal investigation
Related: Experts: Bunker Holding alleged jet fuel sale significant to outcome of Syrian War
Related: Bunker Holding ‘surprised’ at fuel sale charge; maintains ‘full confidence’ in Group CEO
Related: Danish prosecutor proposes jail sentence for Bunker Holding Group CEO over jet fuel sale
Related: Bunker Holding & Dan Bunkering allegedly charged over EU sanctions violations
Related: Dan Bunkering ‘surprised’ SØIK has pressed charges over alleged EU sanction violations
Related: Dan-Bunkering: Everything has been investigated – the case should be closed
Related: Name ban on parties involved with Dan-Bunkering Syrian jet fuel deal lifted
Related: Dan-Bunkering Middelfart office searched by commercial crimes police
Related: Firm linked to alleged Dan-Bunkering Syrian war activities under sanction
Related: Update: Dan-Bunkering Syria jet fuel supply ops allegedly longer than thought
Related: Dan-Bunkering faces preliminary charges by SOIK with violation of EU Syria sanctions
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Related: Danske Bank casts doubts on Dan-Bunkering reason for Syria investigation
Related: Danske Bank reported Dan-Bunkering to police in EU sanctions case
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Related: Unioil Supply dragged into Dan-Bunkering sanctions allegations
Related: Dan-Bunkering has not violated EU’s sanctions against Syria, it insists
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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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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