Legal

MMEA reports Johor eastern waters to be ‘hotspot’ for vessels to anchor illegally

‘These vessels often conduct other unlawful activities such as illegal oil transfers, releasing waste into the waters and unauthorised crew changes,’ said MMEA.

Published

4 years ago

March 22, 2021

Admin

The Johor state division of Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Monday (22 March) said it has discovered waters east of Johor has become a “hotspot” for foreign vessels to anchor illegally and conduct unlawful activities such as illegally releasing oil into the ocean, reports Berita Harian.

The three hotspots include the Tompok Utara anchorage area, Eastern Bank (Permatang Timur) and the Ramunia Shoal.

MMEA explained the western coastal area is less ideal for such vessels as the straits is narrow and it is part of the main vessel route along the Straits of Malacca.

“Many of these vessels stay for a long period of time and try to avoid paying for an anchorage permit by anchoring illegally,” said Johor Maritime Director Nurul Hizam Zakaria.

“During their stay, these vessels often conduct other unlawful activities such as illegal oil transfers, releasing waste into the waters and unauthorized crew changes.

“There are also reports of such vessels utilising these spots as a transit location to smuggle migrants.”

In the past year alone, 23 vessels were detained and 18 of these cases were compounded under Section 491B(1)(L) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for anchoring without a permit.

Maritime Director Hizam added these vessels pose a risk to the health of marine life as well as to the navigational safety of other vessels as they could cause collisions.

“Companies and shipowners have to cooperate with the relevant authorities to make it accessible to conduct operations and to take action in case of any emergencies,” noted Maritime Director Hizam.

Separately, the Marine Department of Malaysia said it had detected about 100 foreign vessels anchoring illegally in the Tompok Utara anchorage area, about 12 kilometres from Sedili Kecil beach on Saturday and was immediately concerned about possible illegal oil spills.

An oil spill was detected by the department around 7.40 pm on Saturday, 20 March and estimates it to be 6 kilometres long.

The Marine Department then partnered with MMEA to conduct investigations on Sunday but it was inconclusive as it is believed the spill has been moved by the ocean’s waves.

Nevertheless, the Department said it will continue its investigations via drones to get a better aerial view of the area.

A series of earlier MMEA detentions have been reported by Manifold Times (below):

Photo credit: Marine Department of Malaysia
Published: 22 March, 2021

Winding up

Singapore: Liquidator of Vanda Marine Services issues notice of dividend

First and final dividend of company is payable from 23 January at Rock Stevenson Pte Ltd, 8 Burn Road, Trivex #16-12, Singapore 369977, according to Government Gazette notice.

Published

1 hour ago

January 23, 2025

Admin

A notice was published in the Government Gazette on Thursday (22 January) regarding the first and final dividend to creditors of Vanda Marine Services Pte Ltd.

The following are details of the notice of dividend of the company:

Name of Company : Vanda Marine Services Pte Ltd(In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation)

Unique Entity No. / Registration No. : 201209660C

Address of Registered Office : 8 Burn Road, Trivex #16-12, Singapore 369977

Amount per centum : 23 per centum of all admitted ordinary claims

First and Final or otherwise : First and Final

When payable : 23 January 2025 onwards

Where payable : c/o Rock Stevenson Pte Ltd, 8 Burn Road, Trivex #16-12, Singapore 369977

Manifold Times previously reported several resolutions for Vanda Marine Services, including winding up the company voluntarily, were passed during an extraordinary meeting in March last year.

Photo credit: steve pb from Pixabay
Published: 23 January, 2025

Bunker Fuel

MPA: Sentek Marine & Trading bunkering licenses to expire on 3 February

Sentek will cease to be licensed from 3 February 2025 at 4pm and must not continue to operate as a bunker supplier and bunker craft operator within the Singapore Port, says MPA.

Published

2 days ago

January 21, 2025

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Monday (20 January) said the bunker supplier and bunker craft operator licences of Sentek Marine & Trading Pte Ltd (Sentek) will expire at 4pm on 3 February 2025.

“From 3 February 2025, 4pm, Sentek Marine & Trading Pte Ltd will cease to be licensed and must not continue to operate as a bunker supplier and/or bunker craft operator within the Singapore Port,” MPA said in Port Marine Circular No 2 of 2025.

On 4 September 2024, MPA initially said it would not be renewing the bunkering licences of Sentek, which would expire on 17 September and the company would cease to be licensed on and from 18 September.

However, later, MPA announced it has extended the bunkering licences of Sentek for a limited amount of time, “pending the final disposal of the appeals” by the company.

In late August last year, Manifold Times reported the General Division of the High Court dismissing an application from Sentek to quash MPA’s refusal to renew its bunker supplier and bunker craft operator licenses.

At the time, a Sentek representative told Manifold Times it was planning to appeal the High Court decision.

MPA also reminded all bunker licensees, including bunker suppliers and bunker craft operators, to comply strictly with all the terms and conditions of the respective bunker licence(s).

“MPA will not hesitate to take firm action against any licensee that contravenes any of its bunker licence terms and conditions, including taking into account such contraventions in considering whether to renew the bunker licence(s), suspending or cancelling the bunker licence(s), and/or taking enforcement action against any such bunker licensee,” it said.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 21 January, 2025

Winding up

Singapore: Sasa Shipping Co Pte Ltd to be wound up voluntarily

Creditors of the company are required on or before 18 February 2025 to send in their names and address with particulars to firm’s liquidator at 60 Paya Lebar Road, #04-51, Paya Lebar Square, Singapore 409051.

Published

3 days ago

January 20, 2025

Admin

Several resolutions for Sasa Shipping Co Pte Ltd were made during an extraordinary meeting held on 15 January, according to a notice in the Government Gazette on Friday (17 January).

The meeting was held at 28 Biopolis Road, Wilmar International, Singapore 138568 at 11am.

The duly passed resolutions were:

Special Resolution

That the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 160 (1)(b) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018.

Ordinary Resolutions

That Mr. Liew Khee Soon of 60 Paya Lebar Road, #04-51, Paya Lebar Square, Singapore 409051 be and is hereby appointed as Liquidator of the Company for the purpose of such winding-up.
That the Liquidator be indemnified by the Company against all costs, charges, losses, expenses and liabilities incurred or sustained by him in the execution and discharge of his duties in connection with the winding-up.

In another notice, it was stated that creditors of the company are required on or before 18 February 2025 to send in their names and address with particulars (if any) to the liquidator at 60 Paya Lebar Road, #04-51, Paya Lebar Square, Singapore 409051 and if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, are to come in and prove their debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in the notice or in default will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts or claims are proved.

Photo credit: Benjamin Child
Published: 20 January, 2025