Business

China: Cargo vessel found breaching 0.5% sulphur limit

Final test showed material used in the ship had a sulphur content of 2.604%, five times the maximum permitted value for bunker fuel.

Published

4 years ago

May 19, 2022

Admin

The following article published by Manifold Times on 19 May was sourced from China’s domestic market through a local correspondent. An online translation service was used in the production of the current editorial piece:

Law enforcement officers of the Xuwei working group, from Lianyungang Maritime Safety Administration, cracked down on a dry cargo vessel on Wednesday (27 April) and found sulphur content of its bunker fuel to be five times higher than the permitted amount of 0.5%.

After collecting oil samples from Tongda XX*, inspection officers found the sulphur content was 2.44%, far exceeding the 0.5% limit permitted in China’s domestic atmospheric pollution prevention and emission control area (ECA).

China: Cargo vessel found breaching 0.5% sulphur limit

The ship proceeded to switch the bunker fuel in question to a low sulphur fuel after being caught using the non-compliant bunker fuel.

According to the authority, the ship owner acknowledged the use of high sulphur fuel in an air pollutant emission control area; the reason was due to the negligence of the crew and unfamiliarity of the regulations.

After the officers conducted the preliminary test, samples were sent to a third-party professional testing agency for more accurate results.

The final results showed that the fuel oil used in the ship had a sulphur content of 2.604%, which is five times the maximum permitted value (0.5%) in the emission control area.

China: Cargo vessel found breaching 0.5% sulphur limit

It conclusively showed the ship used fuel exceeding the standard in the emission control area.

The maritime administration completed all the investigation and evidence collection process, as well as initiated an administrative case for this round of violations.

After the ship refuelled a low sulphur fuel that met the authorities’ standards, it was allowed to sail to sea after passing maritime inspection.

At present, the crew of the ship is actively cooperating with the rectifications and relevant follow-ups are ongoing.

*Note: Full name of ‘Tonga XX’ has been censored by the Lianyungang Maritime Safety Administration

Photo credit: Lianyungang Maritime Safety Administration
Published: 19 May, 2022

Legal

Singapore: Yuantai Fuel Trading sues Wee Tiong for over USD 1.1 million in unreturned vessel deposit

Former bunker fuel supply company entered into a contract in March 2018 with Picon Marine to purchase the vessel “M.T Pacific Ocean” for USD 6.1 million.

Published

21 minutes ago

August 4, 2026

Admin

Singapore: Yuantai Fuel Trading sues Wee Tiong for over USD 1.1 million in unreturned vessel deposit

Yuantai Fuel Trading Pte Ltd, currently in compulsory liquidation, on 10 June 2026 filed a legal claim in the High Court of Singapore against Wee Tiong (S) Pte Ltd, seeking the recovery of USD 752,000 (exact: USD 752,288.81) over an alleged breach of contract for an outstanding vessel deposit.

Including accrued interest, the total claim stands at USD 1.17 million (exact: USD 1,170,562.06), according to court documents obtained by Manifold Times.

Background

Yuantai Fuel Trading, formerly a bunker fuel supply company, entered into a contract on March 2018 with Picon Marine Pte Ltd to purchase the vessel M.T Pacific Ocean for USD 6.1 million; Wee Tiong Director Tan Wee Beng was also the sole Director of Picon Marine.

As part of the agreement, Yuantai paid a deposit of USD 4.1 million into Wee Tiong’s bank account, which acted as Picon’s designated account.

However, the vessel was not delivered within the agreed timeframe, leading to a termination agreement in April 2018. Under this agreement, the full deposit was to be refunded to Yuantai without deduction.

Partial Refunds and Outstanding Amount

Wee Tiong made several partial refunds between 2018 and 2020, totalling approximately USD 3.35 million. Despite these payments, a balance of USD 752,288.81 remains outstanding.

Yuantai claims that interest on the unpaid sum, calculated at 5.33% per annum up to June 2026, amounts to an additional USD 418,273.24, bringing the total claim to USD 1,170,562.06.

Legal Claims

Yuantai asserts that Wee Tiong, acting as agent for Picon, breached the vessel contract and the subsequent termination agreement by failing to return the full deposit.

The company also alleges unjust enrichment, as the deposit was paid for a vessel that was never delivered.

On 3 June 2026, Yuantai issued a formal demand for payment, but no further funds have been received. The claim seeks the outstanding deposit, accrued interest, legal costs, and any further orders the court deems appropriate.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 4 August 2026

Winding up

Notice of dividend issued for defunct Singapore bunker supplier Inter-Pacific Petroleum

First and final dividend for admitted preferential claims and unsecured claims of Inter-Pacific Petroleum is payable from 31 July, according to Government Gazette notice.

Published

22 hours ago

August 3, 2026

Admin

A notice of dividend for defunct Singapore bunker supplier Inter-Pacific Petroleum Pte Ltd, currently in compulsory liquidation, was published on the Government Gazette on Friday (31 July).

The following are the details of the notice:

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
Amount per centum : 100 cents per Singapore dollar for admitted preferential claims; 0.21 cents per Singapore dollar for admitted unsecured claims
First and Final or Otherwise : First and final dividend for admitted preferential claims; First and final dividend for admitted unsecured claims
When payable : From 31 July 2026 onwards
Where payable : Dividends will be made by interbank transfer to the nominated bank account submitted by the creditor of the Company

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.

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
Published: 3 August, 2026

LNG Bunkering

Shanghai Port surpasses 2 million m³ LNG bunkering milestone with PIL vessel

Achievement was reached on 25 July when PIL’s “Kota Eagle” vessel received 4,549 m3 of LNG marine fuel from SIPG Energy’s LNG bunkering vessel at the Lvhuashan Anchorage off the coast of Shanghai.

Published

23 hours ago

August 3, 2026

Admin

Shanghai Port surpasses 2 million m³ LNG bunkering milestone with PIL vessel

Shanghai Port has surpassed 2 million cubic metres (m³) of cumulative LNG bunkering volume, with Pacific International Lines’ (PIL) Kota Eagle participating in the milestone operation, the Singapore-based container operator said on Monday (3 August).

The company said the achievement was reached on 25 July when PIL’s Kota Eagle vessel received 4,549 m3 of LNG marine fuel from SIPG Energy’s LNG bunkering vessel at the Lvhuashan Anchorage off the coast of Shanghai, China.

“As part of our commitment to decarbonisation, PIL is modernising our fleet by investing in LNG dual-fuel vessels,” it said.

“Delivered in 2024, Kota Eagle is PIL’s first LNG dual-fuel container vessel, and it also completed its maiden LNG bunkering operation at Shanghai’s Yangshan Port. To date, we have taken delivery of nine LNG dual-fuel newbuild vessels.”

PIL added that the landmark achievement by Shanghai Port reflects its rapidly growing bunkering capabilities, which provide the critical support needed for the efficient operation of our expanding fleet of greener vessels.

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 3 August, 2026