Business

Kenneth Juhls exits ZeroNorth to become AuctionConnect CEO

Juhls joins from his most recent role as Senior Vice President and Global Head of Customer Success and Partnerships at ZeroNorth; he previously served as Managing Director of ZeroNorth Bunker.

Published

1 year ago

June 30, 2025

Admin

Kenneth Juhls, Managing Director, ZeroNorth Bunker,

Bunker Holding on Friday (27 June) announced the appointment of Kenneth Juhls as the CEO of AuctionConnect, effective 1 July 2025.

AuctionConnect, an independent company owned by Bunker Holding, digitalise complex processes in bunker auctions, turning real time data into operational insights and smarter decision-making.

Bunker Holding said the appointment marked a significant strategic step for AuctionConnect as it transitions into a phase of growth and scale.

“Kenneth Juhls is a standout profile in the maritime digital space. His deep industry knowledge, strategic clarity, and commercial edge make him the ideal person to take AuctionConnect to the next level. We are proud to have attracted such a strong profile, and we look forward to seeing him shape the next phase of AuctionConnect’s growth journey,” said Michael Krabbe, Chairman of AuctionConnect.

Kenneth Juhls brings more than 25 years of industry experience from shipping and trading. Most recently Kenneth Juhls assumed the role of Senior Vice President and Global Head of Customer Success and Partnerships at ZeroNorth and before that as Managing Director of ZeroNorth Bunker leading the development and scaling of their digital bunker optimisation platform.

He also serves as their chair of the IBIA Digitalisation Working Group and board member of the IBIA European Board. His leadership will be key in positioning AuctionConnect as a go-to platform that simplifies fuel procurement, drives transparency and trust, and solves real-world challenges for users across the bunker industry.

At AuctionConnect, Kenneth Juhls will take the helm at a time where the energy transition poses new challenges and opportunities for the industry. He will apply his strategic, industry and commercial experience to sharpen the platform’s commercial focus, build out partnerships, and strengthen user experience.

“AuctionConnect is already a strong platform with a proven customer base and real traction in the market. Our industry is transforming, and I strongly believe strong data, digital tools and platforms will help all market participants navigate the increasing complexity. I look forward to engaging with all parts of the industry to drive real and meaningful change, form partnerships and first and foremost deliver value to our customers. I am excited to build on the strong foundation already in place,” says Kenneth Juhls.

With this appointment, Per Funch-Nielsen steps down as CEO of AuctionConnect. Chairman of AuctionConnect, Michael Krabbe, says “Per has been instrumental in developing the platform and we extend our sincere thanks for his strong commitment and leadership. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”

Photo credit: Bunker Holding
Published: 30 June, 2025

Related Topics:Business - Employment Technology - Digital platform Technology - Fuel price monitoring

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Legal

Singapore withdraws remaining 127 charges against Hin Leong founder OK Lim

Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges on 17 July.

Published

11 hours ago

July 21, 2026

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Founder of collapsed oil trader Hin Leong Trading, Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, has had the remaining 127 charges against him withdrawn, according to The Straits Times on Monday (20 July).

OK Lim was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges, including those for cheating, on 17 July. The discharge means Lim cannot be prosecuted again for the same offences.

Lim, 84, is currently serving a 13½-year prison sentence after the High Court reduced his original 17½-year jail term in March 2026. He was convicted in 2024 on two cheating charges and one count of abetting forgery in a case prosecutors described as one of Singapore’s most serious trade finance frauds.

Lim was convicted in May 2024 of two charges of cheating the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and one count of abetting forgery that proceeded to trial out of a total of 130 criminal charges.

He was first charged in court on 14 August 2020, and was subsequently handed further charges in court on 25 September 2020, 30 April 2021 and 24 June 2021 for his role in perpetuating fraud on various financial institutions.

A total of 130 charges were eventually brought against him for cheating and forgery-related offences.

Photo credit: Sora Shimazaki
Published: 21 July, 2026

Winding up

Singapore: Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd to be wound up voluntarily

Coastal Logistics was reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

Published

12 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

Several resolutions for Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd were made during an extraordinary general meeting held on 14 July, according to a notice in the Government Gazette on Friday (4 July).

The following resolutions were duly passed during the meeting:

As Special Resolution

That it has been proved to the satisfaction of the meeting that the Company cannot by reason of its liabilities continue its business and accordingly the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 160(1)(b) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 (No. 40 of 2018);

As Ordinary Resolutions

that 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 be appointed as the joint and several Liquidators of the Company for the purpose of such winding up; and
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; and
that a Committee of Inspection will not be formed.

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.

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
Published: 21 July, 2026

LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Published

12 hours ago

July 21, 2026

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post.

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024.

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026