MPA: Sentek Marine & Trading bunkering licenses to cease from 18 September
- Published
by Admin
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (4 September) said it will not be renewing the bunker supplier and bunker craft operator licences of Sentek Marine & Trading Pte Ltd (Sentek), which will expire on 17 September.
“On and from 18 September 2024, Sentek Marine & Trading Pte Ltd will cease to be licensed and must not continue to operate as a bunker supplier and bunker craft operator within the Singapore Port,” MPA said in a port marine circular.
MPA reminded all bunker licensees, including bunker suppliers and bunker craft operators, to comply strictly with all the terms and conditions of the respective bunker licence(s).
“MPA will not hesitate to take firm action against any licensee that contravenes any of its bunker licence terms and conditions, including taking into account such contraventions in considering whether to renew the bunker licence(s), suspending or cancelling the bunker licence(s), and/or taking enforcement action against any such bunker licensee,” it warned.
MPA did not state any reason for the decision of not renewing Sentek’s bunkering licences.
However, Manifold Times recently reported the General Division of the High Court dismissing an application from Sentek to quash MPA’s refusal to renew its bunker supplier and bunker craft operator licenses (Licenses).
Both Licenses were due to expire on 28 February 2023, and Sentek applied to the MPA on 16 January 2023 for them to be renewed. After a series of further correspondence, MPA informed Sentek on 1 April 2024 the Licences would not be renewed and would expire on 31 May 2024.
The decision to not renew Sentek’s Licenses was due to alleged breaches of the terms and conditions of the Licences in 2016 and 2017.
In response to MPA’s decision of 1 April 2024, Sentek on May 2024 applied to the High Court for a mandatory order requiring MPA to consider Sentek’s bunkering licenses applications afresh while preventing the cancellation of its existing Licenses.
Permission for judicial review was later granted on 11 July 2024.
Manifold Times understands from a Sentek representative the company is planning to appeal the High Court decision.
Related: Singapore: Sentek application to quash MPA’s refusal to renew bunkering licences dismissed
Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 5 September, 2024
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