Business

IBIA speaks in favour of Mediterranean ECA at MEPC 78

There should be sufficient availability of compliant fuels for the new Mediterranean SOx Emission Control Area, IBIA’s IMO representative Unni Einemo told MEPC 78.

Published

4 years ago

June 24, 2022

Admin

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) on Tuesday (14 June) published an article to elaborate its support of a proposal to designate the Mediterranean Sea as an Emission Control Area (ECA) for sulphur oxides (SOx).

Member States expressed some concerns at IMO last week about a proposal to designate the Mediterranean Sea as an Emission Control Area (ECA) for sulphur oxides (SOx).

During discussion in plenary at the 78th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 78), a majority of those who spoke supported the proposal, highlighting the benefits for human health and the environment due to reduced SOx and particulate matter emissions from shipping in the region. It was a remarkable achievement to obtain agreement among the 21 contracting parties to the Barcelona Convention to apply for ECA statues, after many years of discussing the possibility of a partial or more comprehensive ECA in the Mediterranean. In fact, all coastal States of the Mediterranean Sea were co-sponsors of the proposal.

It was noted, however, that the application to demonstrate that a SOx ECA is justified in the Mediterranean was based on data from before 2020, leading some to question the credibility as it did not have data on the air quality improvements since the introduction of a 0.50% sulphur limit globally (outside ECAs).

Several member states were concerned about the fact that not all the Mediterranean coastal States are Party to MARPOL Annex VI, which could undermine the uniformity of implementation. They urged ratification of Annex VI by those States prior to the Mediterranean ECA taking effect.

Other concerns raised were about the possible economic impact on fuel prices and global trade as the Mediterranean is a crucial international shipping route which means the impact goes beyond countries in the region. Safety issues related to fuel switching and sufficient availability of 0.10% sulphur fuels were also questioned.

IBIA spoke in favour of the proposal at MEPC 78.

“We support the proposed Emission Control Area in the Mediterranean, which should bring air quality benefits for populations in the region. We already have experience with extensive Emission Control Areas in Northern Europe and North America, where implementation of the 0.10% sulphur limit was relatively smooth. There should be sufficient availability of compliant fuels for this new Emission Control Area too, as marine gas oil with maximum 0.10% sulphur are offered in most supply locations both in the Mediterranean, and globally,” IBIA’s IMO representative Unni Einemo told the meeting.

After a technical group review, MEPC 78 approved draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI to designate an ECA for sulphur oxides and particulate matter for the Mediterranean Sea, with a view to adoption at MEPC 79 (12-16 December 2022).

If adopted at MEPC 79, the Mediterranean SOx ECA could take effect from early 2025, probably on 1 May 2025.

Photo credit: IBIA
Published: 24 June, 2022

Legal

Singapore withdraws remaining 127 charges against Hin Leong founder OK Lim

Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges on 17 July.

Published

17 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

Founder of collapsed oil trader Hin Leong Trading, Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, has had the remaining 127 charges against him withdrawn, according to The Straits Times on Monday (20 July).

OK Lim was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges, including those for cheating, on 17 July. The discharge means Lim cannot be prosecuted again for the same offences.

Lim, 84, is currently serving a 13½-year prison sentence after the High Court reduced his original 17½-year jail term in March 2026. He was convicted in 2024 on two cheating charges and one count of abetting forgery in a case prosecutors described as one of Singapore’s most serious trade finance frauds.

Lim was convicted in May 2024 of two charges of cheating the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and one count of abetting forgery that proceeded to trial out of a total of 130 criminal charges.

He was first charged in court on 14 August 2020, and was subsequently handed further charges in court on 25 September 2020, 30 April 2021 and 24 June 2021 for his role in perpetuating fraud on various financial institutions.

A total of 130 charges were eventually brought against him for cheating and forgery-related offences.

Photo credit: Sora Shimazaki
Published: 21 July, 2026

Winding up

Singapore: Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd to be wound up voluntarily

Coastal Logistics was reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

Published

17 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

Several resolutions for Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd were made during an extraordinary general meeting held on 14 July, according to a notice in the Government Gazette on Friday (4 July).

The following resolutions were duly passed during the meeting:

As Special Resolution

That it has been proved to the satisfaction of the meeting that the Company cannot by reason of its liabilities continue its business and accordingly the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 160(1)(b) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 (No. 40 of 2018);

As Ordinary Resolutions

that Mr. Wong Pheng Cheong Martin and Ms. Koay May Yee, both care of FTI Consulting (Singapore) Pte Ltd, One Raffles Quay, #27-10 South Tower, Singapore 048583 be appointed as the joint and several Liquidators of the Company for the purpose of such winding up; and
that the Liquidators be at liberty to open, maintain and operate any bank account(s) or account(s) for monies received by them as Liquidators with such bank(s) as they deem fit; and
that a Committee of Inspection will not be formed.

Manifold Times previously reported Nicholas James Gronow, director of Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping and Coastal Logistics, filed statutory declarations for both companies stating the firms cannot continue their businesses due to liabilities.

Both companies were reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

In 2019, several vessels owned by both firms entered the sale & purchase (S&P) market in Singapore.

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
Published: 21 July, 2026

LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Published

17 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post.

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024.

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026