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Royal Navy’s tanker trials pave way for using commercial fleet in an international crisis

Although no fuel passed between “Tidesurge” and “MT Maersk Peary”, the successful connection proved the ability of the civilian tanker to connect with a military vessel.

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The Royal Navy on Wednesday (11 May) said the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Tidesurge – which is typically found in a Royal Navy task group to keep fuel tanks topped up – linked up with the civilian MT Maersk Peary in Lyme Bay to see whether oil could be transferred between the two vessels.

Calling upon civilian oilers to sustain the fleet could prove crucial if the military tankers are unable to stock up on supplies by putting into port.

The Royal Navy relied on extensive support from civilian tankers during the Falklands conflict 40 years ago – sustaining a task group 9,000 miles from the UK.

But in more recent years, that support has not been needed, nor training practised.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary – whose ships support and supply Royal Navy warships on operations around the globe – joined forces with its American counterpart, US Military Sealift Command, who chartered the Peary for the trials.

The resulting link-up in the Channel – known as a Replenishment at Sea or RAS in naval parlance – saw the refuelling rig from Tidesurge successfully sent across to the Peary where it hooked-up with its replenishment station.

Although no fuel passed between the two ships, the successful connection proved the ability of the civilian tanker to connect with a military vessel.

The trial’s success extends between the two support forces to the rest of NATO as equipment is largely standard across the alliance.

“Replenishment at sea from a commercial tanker to a Fleet Replenishment Oiler can ensure our navies remain supplied and supported in a contested environment when port visits for resupply can’t be accomplished,” said Captain Douglas Jaarsma, the US MSC Exchange Officer with the RFA.

Captain Sam Shattock, the RFA Chief Operator involved with the trials, said: “This exciting trial is the first step for the Royal Navy in developing an organic national capability to consolidate Fleet Replenishment Oilers from commercial vessels. It has delivered assurance to both nations that the ability to work together remains a key tenet of our operational outputs.”

 

Photo credit: Royal Navy
Published: 17 May, 2022

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Winding up

Intended dividend notice issued for defunct Singapore bunker supplier Inter-Pacific Petroleum

Creditors of the companies will have to submit proof of debt to the liquidators of Inter-Pacific Petroleum Pte Ltd by 6 July, according to Government Gazette notice.

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Intended dividend notice issued for defunct Singapore bunker supplier Inter-Pacific Petroleum

A notice to declare the intended dividend of defunct Singapore bunker supplier Inter-Pacific Petroleum Pte. Ltd. to its creditors has been posted on the Government Gazette on Monday (22 June).

Name of Company : Inter-Pacific Petroleum Pte. Ltd. (In Compulsory Liquidation)
Unique Entity No./ Registration No. : 201115209N
Address of Registered Office : c/o 6 Shenton Way, OUE Downtown 2 #33-00, Singapore 068809
Court : The High Court of the Republic of Singapore
Number of Matter : Companies Winding Up No.: HC/CWU 37/2021
Last Day for Receiving Proofs : 6th day of July 2026
Name of Liquidators : Tan Wei Cheong and Lim Loo Khoon, Joint and Several Liquidators
Address of Liquidators : c/o 6 Shenton Way, OUE Downtown 2 #33-00, Singapore 06880

Manifold Times previously reported the Appellate Division of Singapore’s High Court finding a former Director of Inter-Pacific Petroleum (IPP) not liable to pay up to USD 146 million of the company’s total USD 156 million loss. 

The decision sets aside an earlier decision by the High Court that found Dr Goh Jin Hian responsible for the company’s financial loss. 

The Appellate Division of the High Court found that even though it agreed that Dr Goh had breached his duty of care as a director, IPP has failed to show that his breach caused loss to the company.

Lester Ho, Associate Director of multi-disciplinary law firm Helmsman LLC previously shared his timely key takeaways on the case of Dr Goh v Inter-Pacific Petroleum when the Appellate Division of the High Court in Singapore overturned the High Court’s finding that Mr Goh’s breach had caused IPP to incur the losses. 

Related: Helmsman on Inter-Pacific Petroleum legal battle: When ignorance meets fraud
Related: Singapore: Ex-Director of Inter-Pacific Petroleum wins appeal against former company
Related: Singapore: Ex-Director of Inter-Pacific Petroleum appeals High Court decision
Related: Singapore: Former auditors of Inter-Pacific Petroleum undergo private oral examination at court
Related: Singapore: Civil trial between Inter-Pacific Petroleum and Dr Goh Jin Hian begins
Related: Former Singapore Director of Inter-Pacific Petroleum sued for USD 156 million
Related: Inter-Pacific Petroleum creditors authorised to fund lawsuit against former Director
Related: New Silkroutes under investigation over possible breach of Securities and Futures Act
Related: Judicial Managers considering to take former Singapore Director of Inter-Pacific Petroleum to court
Related: Singapore: Inter-Pacific Group receives winding up order from High Court
Related: Singapore: Inter-Pacific Group files for winding up application at High Court
Related: MPA revokes Inter-Pacific Petroleum Pte Ltd bunker supplier licence
Related: Co-heads of Trade and Commodities Finance for Asia-Pacific leave SocGen
Related: Inter-Pacific Group, Inter-Pacific Petroleum to hold creditors’ meet
Related: NewOcean detains Singapore-flagged bunker tanker “Pacific Energy 28”
Related: SocGen lawsuit against NewOcean Petroleum dropped, party to counterclaim
Related: MPA revokes Inter-Pacific Petroleum bunker craft operator licence
Related: Magnets on MFMs: Trial starts for former bunker clerk of “Consort Justice
Related: First suspect charged over MFM tampering in landmark case
Related: With nearly $180 million of debt, IPP proposes interim judicial management
Related: Inter-Pacific Group, Inter-Pacific Petroleum under judicial management
Related: Magnets on MFMs: “Consort Justice” crew pleads ‘not guilty’ to tampering charge
Related: IPP responds to temporary suspension of bunker craft operator licence
Related: MPA temporarily suspends IPP bunker craft operator licence
Related: Singapore: Bunker Cargo officer, crew face charges over alleged MFM tampering

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 22 June, 2026

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Winding up

Singapore: Creditors’ meeting scheduled for Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd

Director of Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping and Coastal Logistics previously filed statutory declarations for both companies stating the firms cannot continue their businesses due to liabilities.

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The creditors’ meeting of Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd, has been scheduled to be held on 14 July, according to a Monday (22 June) notice posted on the Government Gazette.

The meeting for creditors of the company will be held at One Raffles Quay, #27-10 South Tower, Singapore 048583 and by electronic means at 3:30 pm (Singapore time). 

Manifold Times previously reported Nicholas James Gronow, director of Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping and Coastal Logistics, filed statutory declarations for both companies stating the firms cannot continue their businesses due to liabilities.

Both companies were reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd. 

In 2019, several vessels owned by both firms entered the sale & purchase (S&P) market in Singapore. 

The agenda of the meeting is:

  • receiving a statement of the Company’s affairs together with a list of creditors and the estimated amounts of their claims;
  • confirming the appointment of Mr. Wong Pheng Cheong Martin and Ms. Koay May Yee, both care of FTI Consulting (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., One Raffles Quay, #27-10 South Tower, Singapore 048583 to act as the joint and several Liquidators of the Company for the purpose of such winding up;
  • resolving that the Liquidators be at liberty to open, maintain and operate any bank account(s) or account(s) for monies received by them as Liquidators with such bank(s) as they deem fit;
  • appointing a committee of inspection of not more than 5 members, if thought fit; and
  • any other business.

Notes:

  1. Creditors may only attend and vote at this meeting by submitting the General Proxy or Special Proxy form (together with the proof of debt form) and including the details of the attendees to FTI Consulting (Singapore) Pte Ltd, via email at [email protected] by 13 July 2026, 4:00 pm (Singapore Time).
  2. A creditor may appoint a proxy to attend and vote at the meeting. A Special Proxy Form must be duly completed and lodged at FTI Consulting (Singapore) Pte Ltd via email at [email protected] by 13 July 2026, 4:00 pm (Singapore Time).
  3. Creditors may send any questions or other substantial and relevant matters which the creditors wish to raise at the meeting by way of email to the above email address by 13 July 2026.

Related: Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping in court over DBS Bank bunker tanker loan
Related: Singapore: Bunker tanker “Coastal Neptune” arrested
Related: Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping, Coastal Logistics tankers enter S&P market

 

Photo credit: Benjamin child
Published: 23 June, 2026

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Additives

Singapore-based EPS increases Sulnox fuel additive usage in major four-year deal

New deal will significantly expand deployment of Sulnox Eco™ across the EPS fleet, increasing usage from approximately 30 vessels to more than 50 vessels.

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Singapore-based EPS increases Sulnox fuel additive usage in major four-year deal

Sulnox Group plc (Sulnox) on Monday (22 June) announced the signing of its largest commercial agreement to date with Singapore-based shipping firm Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS). 

The new four-year agreement will significantly expand deployment of Sulnox Eco™ across the EPS fleet, increasing usage from approximately 30 vessels to more than 50 vessels. The agreement covers the supply of approximately 1.2 million litres of Sulnox Eco over the contract term and is accompanied by an increase in EPS Ventures’ strategic investment in Sulnox.

The agreement follows more than two years of operational deployment and validation across a range of vessel types, including container ships, bulk carriers, tankers and vehicle carriers. During this period, EPS reported fuel savings of between 3% and 5%, alongside reductions in visible black smoke emissions, cleaner engine conditions, lower sludge generation and improved fuel performance.

With a history spanning more than 60 years, EPS manages a fleet of more than 350 vessels across the container, tanker, dry bulk, gas and vehicle carrier sectors and has a global workforce of approximately 8,000. 

Since commencing its partnership with Sulnox, EPS has steadily expanded deployment of Sulnox Eco across its fleet and supported a range of technical validation initiatives. Among these was independent testing commissioned by EPS, which demonstrated lubricity improvements of between 20% and 23% in Low Sulphur Marine Gas Oil (LSMGO). The results provided additional evidence of Sulnox Eco’s ability to address lubricity challenges associated with lower-sulphur fuels while supporting engine protection and operational reliability.

As biofuel adoption continues to accelerate across the shipping industry, EPS has also reported positive results from the use of Sulnox Eco alongside biofuel blends. Operational experience and independent testing have indicated benefits relating to fuel stability, lubricity and engine cleanliness, helping support reliable vessel operations while optimising fuel performance. The wider fleet deployment will include newbuilds, reflecting confidence in Sulnox Eco’s ability to deliver operational benefits across both existing and newly delivered vessels.

The agreement also strengthens the strategic collaboration between the two companies. EPS will continue to support Sulnox’s research, development and validation programmes through operational testing and real-world deployment. Areas of collaboration are expected to include fuel efficiency optimisation, emissions reduction, biofuel performance and other technologies designed to support the maritime industry’s decarbonisation efforts.

Alongside the supply agreement, EPS Ventures will increase its strategic investment in Sulnox through the subscription of additional shares under the agreement. Subject to the relevant conditions being met, EPS Ventures’ shareholding is expected to increase from approximately 6.5% to 13.9%. The increased investment further aligns the interests of both organisations and reflects EPS’s confidence in Sulnox’s technology, commercial potential and long-term relevance to the maritime sector.

Ben Richardson, CEO of Sulnox, commented: “EPS has already proven to be much more than a customer. Its operational validation, technical expertise and industry introductions have helped accelerate our commercial development and strengthen our position within the global shipping sector.

“Moving from a successful evaluation programme and initial deployment to a major long-term agreement and increased shareholding endorses the value Sulnox Eco continues to deliver in real-world operations. We look forward to continuing to work closely with EPS as we expand adoption across the maritime sector and develop the next generation of efficiency and decarbonisation technologies.”

Sachin Saharawat, Technical Director, EPS, said: “Improving efficiency and reducing emissions remain key priorities for EPS. Over the past two years, Sulnox Eco has demonstrated measurable benefits across multiple vessel types, fuel applications and operating environments. Across different vessel segments and fuel types, we have observed consistent improvements in fuel performance, engine cleanliness and operational efficiency. 

“The expanded deployment reflects our confidence in the results achieved to date and our belief that practical, scalable technologies such as Sulnox Eco can play an important role in helping the shipping industry improve efficiency and support its decarbonisation ambitions.”

 

Photo credit: Eastern Pacific Shipping
Published: 23 June, 2026

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