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BP Singapore bunker trial: Judge finds suspects guilty of corruption, sentencing in September

Executive Director of Pacific Prime Trading and Ex-Regional Marine Manager of BP Singapore are expected to face sentencing in September at the State Courts of Singapore.

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Manifold Times was present at the BP Singapore bunker trial on Thursday (16 July). The following report represents a summarised extract of the afternoon’s hearing:

The BP Singapore bunker trial continued on Thursday (16 July) afternoon at the State Courts of Singapore where District Judge Ong Chin Rhu presented an oral judgement of the case.

The latest hearing saw Judge Ong finding the Executive Director of Pacific Prime Trading (PPT), Koh Seng Lee, and former Regional Marine Manager of BP Singapore, Clarence Chang to be each guilty of 20 charges under Section 6(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Cap 241., otherwise known as the Prevention of Corruption Act which is the primary anti-corruption law in Singapore*.

Nineteen charges were related to the transfer of monies from Koh to Chang from about 31 July 2006 to 26 July 2010 to advance the business interest of PPT with BP Singapore Pte Ltd.

The 20th charge related to payments for Mindchamps Preschool @ City Square Pte Ltd from Koh to Chang sometime before September 2009 as an inducement to advance the business interest of PPT with BP.

Judge Ong, in her oral judgement, noted Koh transferred sums of money totalling USD 3.95 million from his personal HSBC account to Chang’s personal bank account, while Chang transferred a portion of the monies to various bank accounts in Singapore which were solely owned by himself or jointly owned with his wife.

“A central issue at trial was the purpose of these payments and whether they were tainted,” she stated.

“The prosecution case is these payments to Mr Koh and Mr Chang was for continuing PPT’s business interest with BP. The defence states these transfers were not corrupt and they were for investments for properties, the Mindchamps business and other businesses.”

She observed Chang and Koh being called by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) to explain the purpose of payments, where it was found Chang suggested to Koh to set up PPT to be a trading counterparty of BP.

There was also an understanding Chang will help PPT; Chang regarded himself as a partner in PPT and the money transfers from Koh to Chang were described by Chang as his share of profit as a partner of PPT, she said, amongst other observations.

“I have carefully studied and considered the submissions […] I found the CPIB have accurately captured the statements which Mr Koh and Mr Chang conveyed to the recording officer. I found these statements reveal the true purpose of the transfers (sic),” said the Judge.

“I found their account [explanations] for the joint accounts and transfers as an afterthought. They did not reveal these details to CPIB […] it was rather telling Mr Koh and Mr Chang’s statements contained various glaring contradictions and inconsistencies of the joint investment. Especially [for] the properties in the joint investment project.”

She declares: “After consideration, I am satisfied they [the prosecution] have proceeded charges beyond reasonable doubt. I find them [Koh and Chang] guilty and convicted of the same.”

The bails of Koh and Chang have been extended; they are expected to face sentencing in September, 2020.

*A person convicted of an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both, for each count of corruption, according to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) website.

Under Section 13 of the PCA, when a corrupt offender is convicted, the Court shall also order him to pay a penalty equivalent to the amount of bribes he received. 

Editorial coverage by Manifold Times regarding earlier court sessions of the BP Singapore bunker bribery trial are organised in descending chronological order (latest to earliest) below:

Related: BP Singapore bunker trial nears end as legal reps present summary submissions
RelatedBP Singapore bunker trial: Last minute evidence surfaces at State Courts
RelatedBP Singapore bunker trial: Former Ops Manager cross examined
RelatedBP Singapore bunker trial: Cross examination of ex-Regional Marine Manager starts
RelatedBP Singapore bunker trial: Former Market Manager takes to stand as witness
RelatedBP Singapore bunker trial: Pacific Prime Trading Director cross examination continues
RelatedBP Singapore bunker trial: Pacific Prime Trading Director undergoes cross examination
RelatedBP Singapore bunker trial: Prosecution and Defence present submissions (Part 2)
RelatedBP Singapore bunker trial: Prosecution and Defence present submissions (Part 1)
RelatedBP Singapore bunker bribery case update: BP bunker trade data in question
RelatedBP Singapore bunker bribery case update: CPIB officer takes to the stand
RelatedUPDATE: BP Singapore bunker bribery case
RelatedBP Singapore bunker bribery case continues

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 16 July, 2020

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China: Yangpu records 27% on year increase in bunkering volumes from Jan to May

Latest bunker supplier at Yangpu port is Hainan Luhai Energy which received a license from the Danzhou Municipal People’s Government in April 2025.

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Yangpu port

The Port of Yangpu located in Hainan Island recorded a 27% on year increase in bonded bunkering volume for the period between January to May 2025 due to local government initiatives, according to Danzhou Municipal People’s Government on 5 July.

During the five-month period, the port supplied 149,400 metric tonnes (mt) of bunker fuel to 288 international vessels, compared to 117,400 mt of marine fuel to 278 ships in the year before.

Explaining the 2025 figures, the government pointed out 145,400 mt of bonded bunker fuel to 275 vessels were delivered by bunkering firms under national licenses, while 4,000 mt of bonded marine fuel were sent by bunkering companies under Hainan licenses.

To date, there are four bunker suppliers operating at Yangpu port. The latest to join is Luhai Energy Technology Development (Hainan) Co., Ltd (陆海能源科技发展(海南)有限公司) which received a license from the Danzhou Municipal People’s Government in April 2025.

“In the future, we will continue to work hard to continuously optimise the bonded oil refuelling service system, increase policy publicity and promotion efforts, attract more bonded oil refuelling companies to settle in Yangpu, and continuously expand the scale of business, and promote the implementation of the bonded oil refuelling policy,” stated Li Leiming, a mid-level employee of the Yangpu Investment Promotion Bureau.

 

Photo credit: Chuanhaozi under Creative Commons Licences
Published: 14 July 2025

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Milestone

Singapore retains ranking as world’s top maritime centre for 12th consecutive year

Finds report jointly published by the Baltic Exchange and China’s Xinhua News Agency.

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Singapore bunker tankers and sky

Singapore on Friday (11 July) said it has retained its ranking as the world’s top maritime centre, marking the 12th consecutive year it has led the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development (ISCD) Index.

Jointly published by the Baltic Exchange and China’s Xinhua News Agency, the Xinhua-Baltic ISCD Index provides an independent benchmarking of the world’s leading maritime hubs.

It evaluates factors such as cargo throughput, port infrastructure, maritime services (including finance, law and shipbroking), and the overall business environment.

The index is closely monitored by shipping lines, port investors, and maritime service providers to track market competitiveness, and inform investment location and service development decisions.

Singapore retained its top position among 43 maritime cities and regions, underpinned by its consistent performance as one of the world’s busiest transhipment and bunkering hubs, and a well-established ecosystem of professional maritime services and expertise.

In 2024, Singapore handled 41.12 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in container throughput – a record high – and saw total vessel arrival tonnage exceed 3 billion gross tons. The Port of Singapore also remains the world’s largest bunkering port, having supplied 54.92 million tonnes of marine fuel in 2024.

Home to more than 200 international shipping groups and a growing number of maritime technology start-ups, Singapore continues to strengthen its position as a global node for maritime innovation and enterprise.

This growing industry base is also creating new career pathways in areas such as port operations, digital systems management, automation, maritime law, and sustainability – as the sector transforms to meet the needs of a more digital and decarbonised future.

“We thank our industry partners, the research and enterprise community, and our unions who have been instrumental in Singapore’s journey to become a leading international maritime centre and global hub port,” said Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

“We will continue to build on this momentum by innovating and investing in digitalisation, green technologies, and workforce development to strengthen Singapore’s position as a trusted and future-ready international maritime centre.”

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 14 July 2025

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Milestone

“LNG London” marks 1,000 safe LNG bunkering ops in Rotterdam and Antwerp

Milestone is a tribute to the technical expertise and steadfast dedication of LNG London’s team, states Victrol.

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LNG London MT

The LNG London, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel chartered by Shell, owned by LNG Shipping, and operated by Victrol recently completed over 1,000 safe LNG bunkering operations across the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp.

“This landmark achievement underscores LNG London’s unwavering commitment to safety, reliability, and environmental stewardship as LNG rises to prominence as a lower-emission marine fuel compared to conventional fuel oil,” stated Victrol on Friday (11 July) over a LinkedIn update.

“With this milestone, LNG London reaffirms its pioneering role in promoting sustainable, lower-emission bunkering throughout the Amsterdam–Rotterdam–Antwerp (ARA) hub.”

Launched in June 2019, LNG London has a capacity of 3,000 m³, spans 110 m in length, and navigates inland waterways with ease—facilitating efficient LNG supply to both seagoing vessels and barges offshore-energy.

Victrol as the vessel’s operator, emphasises the outstanding performance of the crew and the vessel’s robust design. Built with stringent safety specifications, LNG London strives to maintain high operational standards. This milestone is a tribute to the team’s technical expertise and steadfast dedication.

Building on the good work of LNG London, Shell had also enhanced its bunkering network with the larger Energy Stockholm, an 8,000 m³ bunker vessel, now operating in Antwerp, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, and Amsterdam.

Related: Europe: ‘LNG London’ bunkering vessel starts operations at Rotterdam
Related: “LNG London” conducts first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operation at Rotterdam
Related: Bureau Veritas classifies Europe’s largest inland waterway LNG bunker barge
Related: Europe’s largest LNG bunkering barge on maiden voyage to ARA
Related: Shell takes delivery of Europe’s largest inland LNG bunkering vessel

 

Photo credit: Victrol
Published: 14 July 2025

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