Business

Exclusive: Banle Group sets sights on expanding bunker supply network with successful IPO on Nasdaq

Following closing of CBL International Limited’s IPO on Nasdaq Capital Market, Banle Group revealed to Manifold Times its plans of enlarging the number of local marine fuel suppliers and increasing its bunkering options to customers.

Published

2 years ago

June 13, 2023

Admin

In an exclusive interview with Singapore-based bunkering publication Manifold Times, marine fuel logistics firm Banle Group recently shared insights on the recent successful listing of CBL International Limited, its listing vehicle, on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

Mr. Teck Lim Chia, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer provides details on how much was raised in the initial public offering (IPO) and its plans on using the net proceeds to further grow and strengthen its bunkering business:

MT: Could you give our readers a brief introduction of the Banle Group?

Banle Group is an established marine fuel logistic company in Asia Pacific providing customers with one stop solution for vessel refuelling. We are a bunkering facilitator as referred to in the bunkering industry.

Our main market is the Asia Pacific market with business activities taking place in the major ports of Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and other countries like Turkey, Belgium.

We currently have a network of over 40 ports in Asia Pacific region to supply marine fuel to our customers, making us one of the few bunkering facilitators that can provide network-based service in this part of the world.

We strive to provide our customers with the best quality bunker services and to become our customers’ best partner in providing tailor made and flexible solutions for vessel refuelling.

MT: How much was raised during the IPO? Was it USD 13.3million or oversubscribed at USD 15.3 million?

Initially, we offered 3,325,000 shares at an offering price of US$4 per share, raising USD 13.3 million. At the time of the IPO, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment in part for an additional 425,000 shares, hence, totalling 3,750,000 shares being offered, raising USD 15 million.

MT: During the announcement of the IPO, Banle said it intends to use the net proceeds to ‘enlarge the number of local suppliers to enhance its competitiveness’. Could Banle elaborate what this means to the bunkering industry?

We intend to establish new business relationships with additional local bunker suppliers in additional ports for which we will need the financial resources to make payments in advance for transactions before those local suppliers consider offering any trade credit to us.

Making use of the proceeds from the IPO, we intend to commence the business relationships with the new suppliers who may request payment in advance, or the issuance of letter of credit for their sales of the marine fuel.

MT: Banle also announced it intends to use the net proceeds to ‘increase the service options available in the Singapore and South Korea markets’? How does this trickle down into Banle’s bunkering business?

We constantly receive inquiries from customers for quotations and orders. However, in the past, we may not be able to fulfil all enquiries due to limitation of financial resources or lacking sufficient local bunker supplies in certain ports. As mentioned above, with the proceeds from the IPO and the expansion of our network of supply, we are now in a better position to establish new business relationships with additional local supplies, which in turn, will increase our ability to provide more bunkering options to our customers.

MT: In relation to the above two questions above on Banle’s intentions on utilising the funds, what is Banle’s plan to turn them into reality?

We intend to penetrate the market by soliciting new marine fuel suppliers to capture the demand from our existing customers or new customers in the Singapore market. In particular, we intend to establish such new business relationships with local suppliers for which we might need to pay in advance for transactions. To facilitate market development in Singapore, we have set up a new office in Singapore and employed two staff members.

Similar to Singapore, it is a challenge for us to obtain trade credit from local suppliers without established business relationships. With our aim to strengthen our supply network in South Korea, we plan to develop business relationships with potential suppliers in Ulsan and other ports in South Korea in order for us to provide a more flexible supply network to meet the demand of our existing customers and potential customers. To facilitate market development in South Korea, we have employed one staff member who is based in South Korea.

MT: Can you describe the challenges to execute Banle’s expansion plans and how will the company overcome them in current market conditions?

The fluctuations in marine fuel price may affect our working capital requirements. If the marine fuel prices increase substantially, we could only purchase less marine fuel from our suppliers with the same level of financial resources. We are therefore vulnerable to such unfavourable changes from the fluctuation of marine fuel prices. In the event that there is a significant increase in the price of marine fuel, we might require additional working capital in order to fulfil our customers’ needs.

To mitigate the effects of working capital limitation and unexpected increase in marine fuel price, it is our strategy to strengthen the financial resources available to us by utilising bank facilities and to obtain better trade credit from our suppliers.

Photo credit: Banle Group
Published: 13 June, 2023

Winding up

Singapore: Liquidator of Vanda Marine Services issues notice of dividend

First and final dividend of company is payable from 23 January at Rock Stevenson Pte Ltd, 8 Burn Road, Trivex #16-12, Singapore 369977, according to Government Gazette notice.

Published

3 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Admin

A notice was published in the Government Gazette on Thursday (22 January) regarding the first and final dividend to creditors of Vanda Marine Services Pte Ltd.

The following are details of the notice of dividend of the company:

Name of Company : Vanda Marine Services Pte Ltd(In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation)

Unique Entity No. / Registration No. : 201209660C

Address of Registered Office : 8 Burn Road, Trivex #16-12, Singapore 369977

Amount per centum : 23 per centum of all admitted ordinary claims

First and Final or otherwise : First and Final

When payable : 23 January 2025 onwards

Where payable : c/o Rock Stevenson Pte Ltd, 8 Burn Road, Trivex #16-12, Singapore 369977

Manifold Times previously reported several resolutions for Vanda Marine Services, including winding up the company voluntarily, were passed during an extraordinary meeting in March last year.

Photo credit: steve pb from Pixabay
Published: 23 January, 2025

Methanol

China launches first simulation training platform for methanol bunkering operations

Through the real-life simulation, the platform helps ship operators improve their safety management and emergency response capabilities, improving the development of green shipping technologies.

Published

3 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Admin

China launched its first training platform to simulate methanol bunkering operations at Putuo District, Zhoushan on 15 January.

The Methanol Bunkering System Simulation Training Platform V1.0 was created to fill technical gaps in domestic methanol bunkering training and exercises, in light of the growing demand and popularity for methanol in the shipping industry.

Through the real-life simulation, the platform helps ship operators improve their safety management and emergency response capabilities, improving the development of green shipping technologies.

The platform was jointly developed by Zhejiang Ocean-U New Energy System Engineering and Zhejiang Ocean University.

At the press conference , Zhejiang Ocean-U New Energy System Engineering successfully signed its first purchase agreement with Seacon Ships Management (Zhejiang), making Seacon the first customer to purchase the platform service.

Wang Guofeng, chairman of Seacon, said that the platform has great potential in improving crew operating efficiency and safety, and he looks forward to deeper cooperation with Zhejiang Ocean-U New Energy System Engineering in the future.

Professor Lu Jinshu, Vice President of Zhejiang Ocean University, said they will continuously improve the platform to contribute more in the field of green shipping solutions to the industry.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 23 January, 2025

Hydrogen

Klaipėda Port launches Lithuania’s first hydrogen-powered vessel

Tanker’s power system, which will consist of two electric motors powered by 2,000 kWh batteries and a hydrogen fuel cell system, will enable it to operate for up to 36 hours without additional power charging.

Published

3 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Admin

Klaipėda Port launches Lithuania’s first hydrogen-powered vessel

Klaipėda State Seaport Authority on Wednesday (22 January) said the first ever green hydrogen and electricity-powered ship in Lithuania has been moved from shipyard into water.

Leaving no trace on the environment, it will clean other vessels entering the port, accepting waste from them.

According to the current rules, vessels are obliged to hand over the waste they produce when they arrive and before they leave Klaipėda Port. The Seaport Authority was entrusted with the collection of the waste, and the company decided to use modern and environmentally friendly equipment to further improve the quality of the ship waste collection service.

The tanker’s main function is to collect storm water, sewage, sludge and garbage, as well as to ensure efficient waste management. The ship will be equipped with special tanks and a modern rainwater treatment plant that will allow the treated water to be transferred to the city’s sewage treatment plants. The tanker will be ready to work around the clock and collect up to 400 cubic metres of liquid waste.

The tanker is 42 metres long and 10 metres wide. The ship’s power system will consist of two electric motors powered by 2,000 kWh batteries and a hydrogen fuel cell system. Depending on the intensity of the work, the tanker will be able to operate in the port of Klaipėda for up to 36 hours without additional power charging.

This ship building project with a total value of EUR 12 million (USD 12.5 million) has been commissioned by the Port Authority and is being built by West Baltic Shipyard together with Baltic Workboats under a joint operating agreement.

“We have not only launched a tanker, but also a new approach to port operations – cleaner, smarter and more environmentally friendly. This first ever hydrogen and electricity-powered ship is not only an innovative technological solution, but also an important step in strengthening Lithuania’s image as a modern maritime nation,” said Algis Latakas, Director General of Klaipėda State Seaport Authority.

“At the moment, the tanker is getting used to the seaport water, so to speak, and at the end of the year we expect it to start its important mission of taking care of the clean seaport environment. Such a decision will not leave a footprint on nature, but it will certainly leave a strong mark on our path to a greener future.”

In June last year, a symbolic keel-laying ceremony at the West Baltic Shipyard of the West Baltic Shipyard Group marked the start of the ship’s construction. To date, the hull has been fabricated and painted, with piping, valves, coolers, shaft lines, rudder feathers, heat and fire insulation installed.

Once the tanker is moved into the water, the engine room equipment will be installed, the interior of the wheelhouse will be redecorated, the electrical wiring and the main electrical engines will be installed, the hydrogen system will be installed and other work necessary for the operation of the ship will be carried out.

Photo credit: Klaipėda State Seaport Authority
Published: 23 January, 2025