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
‘We have already settled [the issue] with Global Energy Trading and the suit has been withdrawn/discontinued,’ a source at Bunker House Petroleum told Manifold Times.
Assistant Boson of Singapore bunker tanker currently known as Fragrance sentenced to five-month imprisonment after being caught by MPA Port Inspector in June.
Tan was allegedly charged for 20 counts of forgery to cover his tracks from banks after having sold sugar to parties from North Korea from his company, reports CNA.
Billions Bunker Group chartered Lighthouse Winmore has been detained at Yeosu, South Korea since 24 November.
Captain unable to present invoices and documents proving the legality of 30,000 litres of product, it says.
‘I was under pressure from earnings and Jim Pedersen was sitting at the button,’ he told Danish court.
Firm hopes to leverage partnership in Greece as a springboard to expand into neighbouring and overseas markets including Europe and China, says Robin Van Elderen, Regional Head Bunkers, Europe, Sing Fuels.
Singapore can help less developed countries in SouthEast Asia through ‘piloting and scaling fuels and technology as well as a leading hub for green finance’, said DNV Group President and CEO Remi Eriksen.
Octamar™ Ultra HF, Octamar™ Complete, and Octamar™ F35C were found to have improved the fuel economy while reducing exhaust gas and other emissions of marine engines in a series of trials, states report.
Disposal of evidence has resulted in Singapore not being able to provide full details to the United Nationals Panel of Experts which sought information regarding the case, says Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
‘We are proud to be amongst the first to show the successful steps taken by Singapore’s bunkering ecosystem to remain forward thinking and relevant,’ Choong Sheen Mao, Director of EMF, tells Manifold Times.
‘With the launch of a common data infrastructure, Kenoil aims to continue achieving an end to end visibility and transparency on the bunker data supply chain,’ states Kenoil Managing Director.
