Win More Shipping, the owner of Hong Kong-registered Lighthouse Winmore, Wednesday filed a lawsuit against Hong Kong Marine Department (HKMD) over alleged negligence, according to the South China Morning Post.
The product tanker Lighthouse Winmore was chartered by the Billions Bunker Group to deliver marine fuel to a North Korean vessel Sam Jong 2 in 2017 and has been detained at Yeosu, South Korea since 24 November.
Win More Shipping claimed HKMD failed to demand the release of the vessel from the United Nations even though it wrote a letter explaining its innocence.
An intention by HKMD to cancel the ship’s registration by 22 August 22 would leave the tanker detained in South Korea “indefinitely”, it suggests.
The detained vessel could be released by South Korean authorities “if the [UN] committee decides, on a case-by-case basis and upon the request of the flag state [Hong Kong], that adequate arrangements have been made to prevent the vessel contributing to future violations,” said court documents filed by their solicitor, Brenda Chark & Co.
“If the director proceeds to close the registration of the tanker on August 22 without making a request to the committee, the tanker, with the crew on board, will be left with being detained in South Korea indefinitely.”
The Hong Kong-based legal firm claimed HKMD was planning to deregister the tanker due to classification society Bureau Veritas withdrawing certifications required to maintain its registration.
Insurance firms have also disassociated themselves with the Lighthouse Winmore and leaving the vessel, which has not been maintained since its detention, exposes the Hong Kong government to potential maritime claims in the event of any accidents, it adds.
The owner of Billions Bunker Group, the charterer of Lighthouse Winmore, was charged at the Taiwan High Court (Kaohsiung Branch) in July.
Related: Taiwan: Owner of Billions Bunker Group charged in court
Related: Bunker fuel involved in sanctioned North Korea trade
Related: Taiwan-based Billions Bunker Group de-registered
Related: Billions Bunker Group registered tankers denied port entry
Published: 2 August, 2018
Transferred shares of 40 subsidiaries to BVI firm after tribunal awarded claims in favour of Trinity Seatrading; YSPL has also filed a civil complaint against DNV and Liberian ship registry at Nanjing Maritime Court.
ADNOC L&S, Gulf Energy Maritime, Cockett Marine Oil, Mideast/Bahri Ship Management and VPS experts present their views on biofuel bunker hurdles at the VPS Biofuels Seminar in Dubai on 16 March.
‘Bunker barges operate in very local areas so these vessels call at port very often which means it will be a good fit for women with families,’ states Elpi Petraki, President of WISTA International.
“Our Singapore branch is under preparation and is expected to start business at the republic before June 2023,” Managing Director Darcy Wong tells bunkering publication Manifold Times in an interview.
Development to supply B35 biodiesel blend officially takes effect on 1 February; local bunker suppliers will be able to deliver updated spec within March onwards, once current stocks of B30 avails run out.
VPS, Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation, Wilhelmsen Ship Management, and INTERTANKO executives offered a multitude of perspectives to 73 attendees during the VPS Biofuels Seminar, reports Manifold Times.