Nine members of a criminal syndicate have been convicted in 2020 and 2021 for offences under the Computer Misuse Act, for using industrial strength magnets to tamper with the Mass Flow Meter (MFM) equipment on board bunker tankers Southernpec 6 and Southernpec 7 to cheat buyers of marine fuel oil (MFO).
According to a Thursday (30 September) joint statement from Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) and Singapore Police Force (SPF), buyers were cheated of USD 336,930.63 worth of MFO in total.
The outcomes of the cases, jointly investigated by MPA and SPF, against three masterminds and six cargo officers are set out in the table below:
| S/N | Name (Alias) | Role | Date of Sentencing | Sentence |
| 1 | Ang Heng Lye (Eric) | Mastermind | 21 June 2021 | 35 months’ imprisonment |
| 2 | Tay Tien Whui (Jason) | Mastermind | 4 August 2021 | 34 months and 2 weeks’ imprisonment |
| 3 | Kek Kah Hui (Dylan) | Mastermind | 26 June 2021 | 34 months’ imprisonment |
| 4 | Ang Heng Chye | Cargo officer | 26 August 2020 | 19 months’ imprisonment |
| 5 | Heng Meng Wee, Stanley | Cargo officer | 28 July 2021 | 18 months and 2 weeks’ imprisonment |
| 6 | Leong Wai Chew, Lionel | Cargo officer | 27 July 2021 | 13 months’ imprisonment |
| 7 | Chua Yew Hui, Andy | Cargo officer | 9 June 2020 | 9 months’ imprisonment |
| 8 | Chua Yan Jing, Gab | Cargo officer | 30 September 2020 | 7 months’ imprisonment |
| 9 | Kek Kah Hee | Cargo officer | 13 November 2020 | 2 weeks’ imprisonment |
“To uphold the integrity of the bunker process in the Port of Singapore, MPA has mandated the use of MFMs for the delivery of MFO as it provides assurance to both buyers and suppliers on the delivered quantity of MFO, and enhances transparency in the bunkering process,” they stated.
“The authorities take a serious view of such criminal activities and will not hesitate to take firm action against those who commit offences that undermine Singapore’s international reputation as a trusted shipping and bunkering hub.”
The criminal syndicate’s tampering with MFMs on bunker tankers Southernpec 6 and Southernpec 7 was conceptualised by the masterminds, and carried out by the cargo officers on board.
The syndicate’s illegal operations were discovered during an enforcement check by MPA in April 2019.
MPA revoked the bunker craft operator and bunker supplier licence of Southernpec (Singapore) Pte Ltd with effect from 8 May 2019 and 29 May 2019 respectively.
The modus operandi of the syndicate is set out in Annex A (below):
Related: Magnets on MFMs: Director of Urban Energy to serve 34 months’ imprisonment over bunkering offences
Related: Magnets on MFMs: Trial ends with 35-month imprisonment sentence for Director of Seahub Energy
Related: Magnets on MFMs: Trial ends with ten-month imprisonment for Bunker Clerk of “Fragrance”
Related: Magnets on MFMs: Driver posed as Southernpec bunker crew to commit MFM tampering
Related: Magnets on MFMs: Trial starts for former bunker clerk of “Consort Justice”
Related: Magnets on MFMs: First suspect charged over MFM tampering in landmark case
Related: Magnets on MFMs: “Consort Justice” crew pleads ‘not guilty’ to tampering charge
Related: Singapore: Southernpec bunker supplier licence revoked by MPA
Related: Official: MPA revokes Southernpec bunker craft operator licence
Related: Magnets on MFMs: MPA suspends Southernpec bunker craft license
Related: Magnets on MFMs: Case of ‘a few bad apples spoiling the basket’
Related: Magnets on MFMs: Issue a breach of ‘Operational Security’ under TR 48 (updated)
Related: Singapore: Sea Hub Energy exits MPA bunker craft operator list
Photo credit: Attorney-General’s Chambers
Published: 30 September, 2021
All bunker vessels that have received the necessary clearance for out of port bunkering operations may do so at the stated Tompok Utara coordinates only or risk penalty, according to the MMEA.
High-pressure hydrogen refueling op was carried out in cooperation with Toyota Tsusho Corporation using high-pressure facility and a prototype refueling hose.
Required rate of fuel carbon intensity reduction would be dauntingly high for the industry, if regulation is delayed until 2046 after expiration of mandatory energy efficiency standards.
LNG bunkering operations have increased considerably from 1,500 mt in 2017 to 9,500 mt in 2018, it updates.
Conference will demonstrate the critical importance of immediate action and cross-sectoral collaboration for the energy transformation of shipping.
The Kings Way and Twins Bull on Taiwan's no entry list and watch list, says Head of Coast Guard Administration.
PetroSeraya appoints YTL PowerSeraya veteran See Yoong Hwee to drive its fuel tank leasing operations; together with Rafe Liam as Commercial Manager, they will spearhead the company’s initiatives.
‘This biofuel bunker delivery represents a new chapter for Eng Hua as we are now moving with the times towards the era of decarbonisation,’ Mike Sin, Director at Eng Hua, tells bunkering publication Manifold Times.
MPA has also asked Glencore to improve its internal procedures to ensure that prompt action is taken in future when it becomes aware of, or reasonably suspects, any irregularity in fuel quality, it states.
Dynamic Asset Investments Limited and Goldsland Holdings Co Ltd helped Vermont UM Bunkering maintain a “Cash Float” of about SGD 100,000 to facilitate “buyback” bunker transactions at Singapore port.
Senior Cargo Officer gained SGD 48,800 worth of commission from “buyback” bunker transactions and illegally obtained SGD 410,712.257 by cheating Vermont, a Singapore court heard on Thursday (21 July).
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.
