Business

KPI OceanConnect appoints regional leaders from its existing management team

New structure will see the leadership of its trading business divided into regions covering APAC, EMEA, and Americas; Global Accounts unit and AuctionConnect will continue as separate business ventures.

Published

3 years ago

August 30, 2023

Admin

Marine energy solutions provider KPI OceanConnect on Tuesday (29 August) announced it has implemented a new management structure to provide additional support to the operation of its existing management set up.

The new structure will see the leadership of its trading business divided into regions covering APAC, EMEA, and Americas. New regional leads have been promoted from KPI OceanConnect’s existing management team. Thomas Lee is promoted to Head of APAC and James Enston to Head of EMEA.

Brian Coyne will continue in his current role as Head of Americas. Likewise, the Global Accounts unit and AuctionConnect will continue as separate business ventures under the leadership of Henrik Zederkof. The regional leads will report to CEO, Anders Grønborg, and each will have full responsibility for KPI OceanConnect’s business activities in their respective regions.

The firm said the appointments across the business will ensure customers receive high levels of expertise when developing and implementing innovative marine energy strategies.

Anders Grønborg, said: “With James and Thomas taking leadership of EMEA and APAC we are significantly strengthening our Group’s capabilities and focus on key areas of our business. Both have extensive experience, expertise, and leadership skills, which are invaluable in the current market and the transition to a more sustainable shipping industry. The change in management structure will ensure we have the right resources in place at the right level to meet the changing needs of our customers.

Grønborg, continued: “KPI OceanConnect’s focus is firmly on building strong partnerships and adding value to the supply chain for the green transition, and on remaining a leader in our industry’s continued digitalisation. The new set up will enhance our partnership approach by bringing more specialised high-level expertise to strategic initiatives aimed at delivering innovative and bespoke decarbonisation solutions.”

Thomas Lee has been with the Group for 13 years, starting in the Company’s Singapore office as a trader before being promoted to Team Leader. For the past seven years, Lee has led the Global Account programme for the Group as Head of Global Accounts in the APAC region.

James Enston has been with the Group for more than 18 years, most recently in the role of Managing Director of the Company’s London office since 2014. Enston has a background in Fuels Marketing with an oil major, and previous experience in shipping operations from the perspective of shipowner and shipbroker.

James Enston, Regional Head of EMEA, said: “I am excited about stepping into this new role and being given the opportunity to contribute to the wider development of the KPI OceanConnect organisation. I have had the privilege of being part of the KPI OceanConnect Management Team since 2014 and I am confident that with the people and expertise we have in place we are well placed to consolidate our position in the market and enhance our business in line with the evolving marine fuel market”

Thomas Lee, Regional Head of APAC, said: “I am honoured to be given the opportunity to take on this new challenge and lead the region. With my experience in Global Accounts, I look forward to driving our growth in the premium large client segment and continuing our success as an innovator in the fast-changing marine energy industry. I am excited to be able to further support and advance our company’s strongest assets – our people and our culture.”

Photo credit: KPI OceanConnect
Published: 30 August, 2023

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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.

Published

2 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Admin

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.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 22 June, 2026

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.

Published

2 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Admin

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:

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).
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).
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.

Photo credit: Benjamin child
Published: 23 June, 2026

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.

Published

2 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Admin

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