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CBL International renames Singapore subsidiary to bolster regional growth strategy

Effective immediately, Majestic Energy (Singapore) Pte Ltd has been officially renamed to Banle International (Singapore) Pte Ltd, reflecting its commitment to the market and sustainable fuels.

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CBL International Limited (CBL), the listing vehicle of Banle Group (Banle) logo

CBL International Limited (CBL), the listing vehicle of marine fuel logistics firm Banle Group, on Monday (26 May) announced the official renaming of its Singapore-based wholly owned subsidiary, Majestic Energy (Singapore) Pte Ltd, to support its regional growth strategy.

Effective immediately, Majestic Energy (Singapore) Pte Ltd has been officially renamed to Banle International (Singapore) Pte Ltd, reflecting the Group’s deepening commitment to the Singapore market and its strategic expansion into sustainable fuels.

Singapore remains the world’s largest bunkering hub, with annual sales close to 55 million metric tonnes (mt) in 2024, increased by 6% year-over-year as compared to 2023, according to Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) statistics. While conventional fuels still dominate the market, demand for sustainable fuels such as biofuels, LNG, and methanol continues to rise steadily. Notably, biofuel sales in the first four months of 2025 in Singapore have already surpassed 50% of the total volume recorded in 2024, according to MPA statistics.

As the primary fuel bunkering hub in the Asia-Pacific region, Singapore serves as a strategic base for CBL’s regional expansion. CBL’s revenue in Singapore increased by 102% year-over-year in 2024 as compared to 2023. 

In March 2025, CBL launched its first biofuel supply services in Singapore — a key regional port — as part of its broader initiative to offer sustainable fuel alternatives across the region, followed by biofuel supply in Malaysia, Hong Kong and various ports in China. 

CBL’s biofuel sales volumes and sales surged over 600% year-over-year in 2024, supported by strengthened supplier relationships and reliable supply chains. These efforts help customers meet IMO GHG targets while offering sustainable, cost-effective alternatives.

Dr. Teck Lim Chia, Chairman and CEO of CBL, said: “Singapore plays a pivotal role in our long-term growth strategy.”

“The renaming of our subsidiary underscores our strengthened presence in this critical market and reinforces our commitment to supporting the global maritime industry’s transition toward greener energy solutions.”

Despite the increasing competition in Singapore’s bunkering sector, CBL continues to differentiate itself through its agile operations and customer-centric approach. The company prides itself on its ability to adapt and tailor solutions to meet the specific needs of clients and suppliers, enabling it to capture new  opportunities in both traditional and emerging fuel segments.

Christofel Tian, Head of Singapore, said: “With our rebranding to Banle International (Singapore) Pte Ltd, we are not only aligning ourselves more closely with the Group’s identity but also signaling our long-term commitment to the Singapore market.”

“As the global bunkering landscape evolves, especially with the rapid adoption of sustainable fuels, we are well-positioned to grow alongside Singapore’s vision of becoming a leader in sustainable maritime solutions.”

With its robust regulatory environment, mature infrastructure, and strong government support, Singapore is well-positioned to maintain its leadership in the global bunkering market — and CBL is committed to growing alongside it.

 

Photo credit: Banle Group
Published: 27 May, 2025

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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.

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RESIZED Sora Shimazaki on Pexels

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.

Related: Singapore: Hin Leong Founder OK Lim gets jail term slashed to 13.5 years

 

Photo credit: Sora Shimazaki
Published: 21 July, 2026

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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.

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RESIZED Drew Beamer

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.

Related: Singapore: Director declares Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping’s inability to continue business
Related: Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping in court over DBS Bank bunker tanker loan
Related: Singapore: Bunker tanker “Coastal Neptune” arrested
Related: Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping, Coastal Logistics tankers enter S&P market

 

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
Published: 21 July, 2026

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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.

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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

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