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Hong Kong High Court orders NewOcean to appoint joint and several liquidators

Mr. Kenneth Fung and Mr. Roderick John Sutton, both of FTI Consulting (Hong Kong) Limited were appointed as the liquidators of the company, says NewOcean.

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Hong Kong-listed NewOcean Energy Holdings Limited which is currently undergoing liquidation, on Tuesday (25 October) said the High Court of Hong Kong on 13 October (Hong Kong time) ordered the company to appoint joint and several liquidators. 

Mr. Kenneth Fung and Mr. Roderick John Sutton, both of FTI Consulting (Hong Kong) Limited were named as the liquidators. 

Manifold Times previously reported the first meeting of contributories of the company was held on 12 October 2022 at 3.00 pm. (Hong Kong time).

On 15 August, NewOcean said the High Court of Hong Kong on 8 August ordered the company to wind up.

This is following a winding up petition filed by Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) against the embattled company in Hong Kong on 12 April 2022.

According to an earlier NewOcean stock exchange filing published on May 13 2022, KPC was a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplier for NewOcean’s wholly owned subsidiary Sound Agents Limited since 2011. 

NewOcean entered into sale and purchase agreements with KPC, including sale and purchase agreements dated 5 September 2019 and 2 March 2020. Under these contracts, NewOcean was to pay KPC for LPG supplies through an irrevocable documentary letter of credit.

However, in 2020, “the company’s bankers abruptly terminated credit lines to the company and its various subsidiaries, causing the company to default in paying KPC the penalties for breach of contracts as it was unable to issue letters of credit.”

NewOcean’s business segments include the sales and distribution of LPG, sales of electronic products, and its oil products business that includes its bunkering business.

In a separate case, the Court of Appeal for Bermuda on 26 July ordered NewOcean to wind up, while several individuals were ordered to continue acting as the Joint Provisional Liquidators of the company. 

This is following its battle against a winding up petition filed by Hongkong Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC). It was alleged in the winding up petition that the company had failed to satisfy the petitioner a total indebtedness in the sum of HKD 5,433,659.12 (USD 698,274) and USD 70,802,320 totalling approximately USD 71.5 million. 

Related: NewOcean joint provisional liquidators schedule first meeting of contributories
Related: High Court of Hong Kong orders winding up of NewOcean Energy Holdings Limited
Related: NewOcean receives winding up petition from HSBC over alleged USD 71.5 million debt
Related: NewOcean announces change of authorised representatives
Related: Court of Appeal for Bermuda orders winding up of NewOcean Energy Holdings Limited
Related: NewOcean announces change of address of HK Branch Share Registrar and Transfer office
Related: NewOcean: Winding up petition proceedings in court adjourned to 2 September
Related: NewOcean delays release of FY 2021 results, ‘catastrophic credit freeze’ amongst reasons
Related: NewOcean: Winding up petition proceedings in court adjourned to 27 July
Related: Hong Kong Stock Exchange issues trading resumption guidance to NewOcean Energy
Related: NewOcean appoints law firm to oppose petition at 15 June hearing
Related: NewOcean warns of trading halt of company shares on HKSE from 1 April onwards
Related: NewOcean delays release of FY 2021 results, postpones AGM to Sep 2022
Related: NewOcean Energy auditor tender resignation over disagreement of FY 2021 audit fee
Related: NewOcean company secretary and authorised representative resigns on HQ relocation
Related: NewOcean Energy loses second Executive Director on HQ relocation to China
Related: NewOcean Energy HQ relocates to mainland China, Executive Director resigns
Related: NewOcean Energy officially begins ‘soft touch’ debt restructuring process
Related: NewOcean Energy reshuffles lineup of Independent Non-executive Directors
Related: NewOcean Energy defends against HSBC winding up petition, secures time for debt restructuring
Related: NewOcean: Winding up petition proceedings at Bermuda court to continue on 14 December
Related: NewOcean Energy Holdings forecasts 87% decrease net loss on year for 1H2021
Related: NewOcean posts USD 479 million FY 2020 loss; possible downsize of oil business
Related: NewOcean Energy delays release of 2020 financial results; to be published by end June
Related: NewOcean appoints Crowe as new auditors; replaces Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
Related: NewOcean creditor scheme meeting dates at courts now ‘unrealistic’; delayed till further notice
Related: NewOcean auditors resign due to significant outstanding documents & information
Related: NewOcean revises creditor scheme meeting dates at Hong Kong, Bermuda Courts due to ‘substantial’ amendments
Related: NewOcean records USD 304.3 million loss, portion of SG bunkering business to remain
Related: NewOcean Energy issues USD 304.8 million net loss warning ahead of FY 2020 results
Related: NewOcean proposal to adjourn court scheme meeting approved by creditors
Related: NewOcean creditors meeting application granted by Supreme Court of Bermuda
Related: NewOcean planning creditors meeting, foundation of debt restructuring plan laid out
Related: NewOcean records USD 174 million 1H 2020 loss; Singapore bunkering business remains
Related: NewOcean Energy publishes profit warning to shareholders ahead of 1H 2020 results
Related: NewOcean Energy records 66% bunker sales jump to 4.5 million mt in FY 2019

 

Photo credit: NewOcean
Published: 26 October, 2022

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Methanol

Kambara Kisen orders methanol dual-fuel bulker from Tsuneishi Shipbuilding

Firm ordered a 65,700-dwt methanol dual-fuel dry bulk carrier with Tsuneishi Shipbuilding; MOL signed a basic agreement on time charter for the newbuilding that is slated to be delivered in 2027.

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Kambara Kisen orders methanol dual-fuel bulker from Tsuneishi Shipbuilding

Japanese shipowner Kambara Kisen has ordered a 65,700-dwt methanol dual-fuel dry bulk carrier newbuilding from Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd, according to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) on Wednesday (20 September).

MOL said it signed a basic agreement on time charter for the newbuilding that is slated to be delivered in 2027. 

The vessel will be designed to use e-methanol produced primarily by synthesising recovered CO2 and hydrogen produced using renewable energy sources, and bio-methanol derived from biogas. 

The vessel's design maximises cargo space while ensuring sufficient methanol tank capacity set to allow the required navigational distance assuming various routes, at the same time maximising cargo space. 

MOL added the vessel is expected to serve mainly in the transport of biomass fuels from the east coast of North America to Europe and the U.K. and within the Pacific region, as well as grain from the east coast of South America and the U.S. Gulf Coast to Europe and the Far East.

Details on the time-charter contract:

Shipowner: Kambara Kisen wholly owned subsidiary
Charterer: MOL Drybulk Ltd.
Charter period 2027: -

Details on the newbuilding methanol dual fuel bulk carrier:

LOA: About 200 m
Breadth: About 32.25 m
Draft: About 13.80 m
Deadweight: About 65,700 MT
Hold capacity: About 81,500m3
Shipyard: Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.

Photo credit: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
Published: 22 September, 2023

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Methanol

Argus Media: Alternatives may drive methanol market growth

Driven by low-carbon policies and regulations, the transportation sector — especially the marine fuels industry — could be a source of heightened demand, according to Argus.

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RESIZED Argus media

The growth of sustainable alternatives to traditional methanol production sources likely will shape the market over the next several years, industry leaders said this week at the Argus Methanol Forum.

20 September 

Driven by low-carbon policies and regulations, the transportation sector — especially the marine fuels industry — could be a source of heightened demand.

"The aim is to be net zero by 2050 but [those solutions are] expensive today and one of the main challenges to build e-methanol or bio-methanol plants is a huge queue for these pieces of equipment that aren't available," Anita Gajadhar, executive director for Swiss-based methanol producer Proman, said.

Bio-based and e-methanol plants of commercial scale, like Proman's natural gas-fed 1.9 million metric tonne/yr M5000 plant in Trinidad and Tobago, are not ready today.

"But that's not to say 10 years from now they won't be there," Gajadhar added.

Smaller projects are popping up. Dutch fuels and gas supplier OCI Global announced plans last week to double the green methanol capacity at its Beaumont, Texas, facility to 400,000 t/yr and will add e-methanol to production for the first time. Production will use feedstocks such as renewable natural gas (RNG), green hydrogen and biogas.

The globally oversupplied methanol market will not get any major supply additions starting in 2024 until 2027. But that oversupply will not last long, Gajadhar said.

Global demand has slowed this year, driven by stagnate economic growth and higher interest rates, according to industry observers.

As much as half of methanol demand is tied to GDP growth, with total methanol demand estimates at 88.9mn t globally in 2023. This is essentially flat from 2022, but up from 88.3m t in 2021 and 87.7mn t in 2020, Dave McCaskill, vice-president of methanol and derivatives for Argus Media's consulting service, said.

Demand is not expected to rebound to 2019 levels of 89.6mn t until 2024 or 2025, he added.

The period of oversupply combined with lackluster demand places methanol in a transition period, Gajadhar said, which opens the door for sustainable feedstock alternatives to shape market growth.

Danish container shipping giant Maersk and French marine logistics company CMA-CGM announced earlier this week a partnership to drive decarbonization in shipping. The partnership seeks to develop fuel and operations standards for bunkering with alternative fuels. The companies will develop net-zero solutions, including new technology and alternative fuels.

Maersk has previously ordered dual-fuel methanol-powered vessels and CMA-CGM LNG-propelled vessels.

The demand for alternative feedstock-derived fuels is there, but the ability to scale-up such production lags. Certified lower-carbon methanol produced using carbon capture and sequestration — also known as blue methanol— can ramp up much more quickly, according to Gajadhar.

By Steven McGinn

Photo credit and source: Argus Media
Published: 22 September, 2023

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Biofuel

Royal Caribbean completes over 12 weeks of bio bunker fuel testing in Europe

Firm expanded its biofuel testing this summer in Europe to two additional ships — Royal Caribbean International’s “Symphony of the Seas” and Celebrity Cruises’ “Celebrity Apex”.

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Royal Caribbean completes over 12 weeks of bio bunker fuel testing in Europe

Royal Caribbean Group on Tuesday (19 September) said it successfully completed over 12 consecutive weeks of biofuel testing in Europe. 

Royal Caribbean International’s Symphony of the Seas became the first ship in the maritime industry to successfully test and use a biofuel blend in Barcelona to meet part of her fuel needs. 

The company confirmed onboard technical systems met operational standards, without quality or safety concerns, demonstrating the biofuel blend is a reliable “drop in” supply of lower emission energy that ships can use to set sail across Europe and beyond. 

The tests across Europe also provided valuable data to understand the availability and scalability of biofuel in the region, the firm added. 

Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group, said: “This is a pivotal moment for Royal Caribbean Group’s alternative fuel journey.”

“Following our successful trial of biofuels this summer, we are one step closer to bringing our vision for net-zero cruising to life. As we strive to protect and promote the vibrant oceans we sail, we are determined to accelerate innovation and improve how we deliver vacation experiences responsibly.”

President of the Port of Barcelona, Lluís Salvadó, said: “Royal Caribbean’s success is a clear example of how commitment to innovation makes possible the development of solutions to decarbonise the maritime sector.”

“In this case, it involves the cruise sector and focuses on biofuels, an area in which the Port of Barcelona is already working to become an energy hub, producing and supplying zero carbon fuels, such as green hydrogen and ammonia, and of other almost zero-carbon alternative fuels, such as methanol, biofuels or synthetic fuels. Innovation and collaboration between ports and shipping companies is key to accelerate the decarbonisation of maritime transport.”

The company began testing biofuels last year and expanded the trail this summer in Europe to two additional ships — Royal Caribbean International’s Symphony of the Seas and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Apex

The sustainable biofuel blends tested were produced by purifying renewable raw materials like waste oils and fats and combining them with fuel oil to create an alternative fuel that is cleaner and more sustainable. The biofuel blends tested are accredited by International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC), a globally recognized organization that ensures sustainability of biofuels and verifies reductions of related emissions.

With Symphony of the Seas departing from the Port of Barcelona and Celebrity Apex departing from the Port of Rotterdam, both ships accomplished multiple sailings using biofuel and contributed critical data on the fuel’s capabilities. 

“These results will help accelerate Royal Caribbean Group’s plans to continue testing the use of different types of biofuels on upcoming European sailings this fall. The company is exploring strategic partnerships with suppliers and ports to ensure the availability of biofuel and infrastructures to advance the maritime energy transition,” the firm said. 

Photo credit: Royal Caribbean Group 
Published: 22 September, 2023

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