Legal

Hong Kong Marine Department sued by Win More Shipping

The Lighthouse Winmore, involved with bunker sales to North Korea, was left at Yeosu for eight months.

Published

5 years ago

August 2, 2018

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.

Published: 2 August, 2018

Vessel Arrest

Malaysia: MMEA detains tanker for illegal anchoring in East Johor waters

Panama-registered vessel was operated by 17 crew members, aged between 21 to 58 years, from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

Published

5 hours ago

November 29, 2023

Admin

Malaysia: MMEA detains tanker for illegal anchoring in East Johor waters

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Tuesday (28 November) said a Panama-registered tanker has been detained for illegally anchoring in East Johor waters on 27 November.

MMEA Tanjung Sedili Zone acting director Maritime Cmdr Mohd Najib Sam said the tanker was detained by a patrol boat at 11am at 15.8 nautical miles northeast of Tanjung Penawar.

The captain of the vessel failed to produce any documents that permission had been obtained to anchor in Malaysian waters.

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The vessel was operated by 17 crew members, aged between 21 to 58 years, from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

The case will be investigated under Section 491B(1)(L) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for anchoring without permission. If found guilty, individuals may be fined not exceeding MYR 100,000 or face an imprisonment term of not more than two years, or both.

Manifold Times previously reported law firm Oon & Bazul LLP sharing on steps shipowners should keep in mind before anchoring and conducting STS operations in Malaysian waters to avoid detention.

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 29 November, 2023

Vessel Arrest

Singapore: Comoros-flagged container ship “Race I” placed under Sheriff’s arrest

Ship, formerly known as “Wisdom Grace”, was added to the list of vessels under Sheriff’s arrest in Singapore’s court system; arrest was made on behalf of Oon & Bazul LLP.

Published

1 day ago

November 28, 2023

Admin

Singapore: Comoros-flagged container ship “Race I” placed under Sheriff’s arrest

Comoros-flagged container ship Race I was arrested in Singapore waters on Friday (24 November).

The 18,193 DWT vessel, formerly known as Wisdom Grace, was added to the list of vessels under Sheriff’s arrest in Singapore’s court system.

According to the list, the vessel was arrested at 11.48pm and the arresting solicitor listed was law firm Oon & Bazul LLP. The ship is currently held at the Eastern Anchorage.

No details regarding the reason behind the arrest were provided in the list.

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Frank-Peter Mecklenbeck
Published: 28 November, 2023

Winding up

Singapore: Final meeting scheduled for Teras Conquest 8 Pte Ltd

Final meeting of the company and creditors will be held at 8 Wilkie Road, #03-08 Wilkie Edge, Singapore 228095 through an audio-visual conference on 27 December.

Published

1 day ago

November 28, 2023

Admin

The final meeting of Teras Conquest 8 Pte Ltd has been scheduled to take place on 27 December, according to the company’s liquidators on a notice posted on Monday (27 November) on the Government Gazette.

The final meeting of the company and creditors will be held at 8 Wilkie Road, #03-08 Wilkie Edge, Singapore 228095 through an audio-visual conference at 10.30 am.

The meetings are being held for the purpose of having an account laid before the members showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and the property of the respective company disposed of and of hearing any explanation that may be given by the Liquidators.

The following are details of the liquidators:

Ng Kian Kiat
Goh Wee Teck
Liquidators
c/o 8 Wilkie Road
#03-08 Wilkie Edge
Singapore 228095

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
Published: 28 November, 2023