Connect with us

Incident

MPA: Shipmaster of bulk carrier injured after sea robbery in Strait of Malacca

MRCC, operated by MPA, was notified of an alleged case of sea robbery onboard a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier that was enroute to Singapore, in the Strait of Malacca.

Admin

Published

on

RESIZED SG bunker tanker

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Friday (27 October) said The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), which it operates, was notified that morning at about 4.30am of an alleged case of sea robbery onboard a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier.

The incident took place in the Strait of Malacca, outside Singapore’s territorial waters. The vessel was enroute to Singapore.

“MRCC had directed the vessel to anchor off the western part of Singapore to facilitate a search by the Police Coast Guard. The search has been completed onboard and nothing was reported missing,” it said in a statement.

“The shipmaster who was hurt in the incident is reported to be in stable condition and has been conveyed ashore to seek medical treatment.”

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 31 October, 2023

Continue Reading

Legal

Four Dutch seafarers charged for alleged roles in causing Singapore oil spill

Four men on Netherlands-flagged dredger “Vox Maxima” were charged under Merchant Shipping Act 1995 on 6 November and will appear in court again on 4 December.

Admin

Published

on

By

Martin Klingsick / MarineTraffic

Singapore has brought charges against four crewmen who were working on Netherlands-flagged dredger Vox Maxima for their alleged role in causing the disastrous bunker spill into the republic’s sea, according to a report by The Straits Times on Wednesday (6 November).

Singapore-flagged bunker vessel Marine Honour was hit by Netherlands-flagged dredger Vox Maxima at Pasir Panjang Terminal on 14 June, which resulted in an oil spill in Singapore waters.

The dredger reportedly lost engine and steering control before crashing Marine Honour.

The four men, all Dutch nationals, – Merijn Heidema, 25; Martin Hans Sinke, 48; Richard Ouwehand, 49; and Eric Peijpers, 55 – allegedly failed to ensure that emergency steering was carried out when emergency power was supplied to the vessel’s steering gear pumps, resulting in the allision. 

They were each charged under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 on 6 November. 

Heidema and Peijpers, who were responsible for the engineering watch, were accused of failing to ensure a sufficient reserve of power was available for Vox Maxima’s steering gear when the engine room was put in a standby condition.

Their cases have been adjourned to 4 December.

Manifold Times previously reported Vox Maxima was found to have serious deficiencies relating to fire safety and life-saving equipment aboard. 

A total of 13 deficiencies were flagged during the 15 June inspection of the dredger. Three out of the 13 warranted detention of the vessel which indicated serious deficiencies that required repairs before it could be permitted to leave the port. 

Related: Thirteen deficiencies flagged during inspection for dredger involved in Singapore oil spill
Related: Singapore oil spill: Minister refutes claim that contractor was slow in preventing further spillage
Related: MPA: Claims exceeding liability of “Marine Honour” owner will be made against international fund
Related: MPA: Owner of bunker tanker involved in Singapore oil spill is liable for pollution damage
Related: Malaysia to look into demands of Johor fisherman affected by oil spill from Singapore
Related: Singapore oil spill: Clean-up enters next phase of cleaning rock bunds
Related: MPA: Clean-up ops continue following oil spill in Singapore, affected beaches closed
Related: Singapore: Oil spill cleanup after allision between dredger “Vox Maxima” and bunker tanker “Marine Honour”

 

Photo credit: Martin Klingsick / MarineTraffic
Published: 7 November, 2024

Continue Reading

Bunker Fuel Quality

FOBAS: Off-spec water in residual bunker fuels from Balboa, Cristobal and Cartagena

VLSFO and HSFO samples tested by FOBAS were found to have exceeded the 0.50%v/v limit for water as stipulated in the ISO 8217:2024 specification.

Admin

Published

on

By

RESIZED Hans Reniers on Unsplash

Lloyd’s Register Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) on Tuesday (5 November) released a bulletin to highlighting several residual fuel samples were found to have exceeded the 0.50%v/v limit for water as stipulated in the ISO 8217:2024 specification:

Recently FOBAS tested several residual fuel samples (VLSFO and HSFO) from Balboa (Panama) which exceeded the 0.50%v/v limit for water as stipulated in the ISO 8217:2024 specification. 

Water content of these fuels range from 0.50%v/v to 2.25%v/v. A smaller number of similar high water fuels were also tested from Cristobal (Panama) and further afield in Cartagena (Columbia).

Water is often found in residual fuels at low levels and occasionally above the 0.50%v/v limit for residual fuels in ISO 8217:2024. Cases of high and off-spec water appear from many ports and suppliers throughout the year, however this is an unusually high number from the same port and wider area.

Low corresponding sodium levels appear to suggest the nature of water in most cases is fresh rather than brackish or saline water.

Water at these levels can often be reduced to acceptable levels (<0.20 %v/v at the engine inlet) with prolonged settling, regular draining and efficient purification, however this can vary from case to case and the levels of water one vessel can handle may be different from another. Attention should be given to optimising separator arrangements and settings and maintaining throughput temperatures at 98 Deg C to enhance separator efficiency.

Storage tank samples taken from the top, middle and bottom of the respective tank(s) should also be taken to confirm the exact water content in the tank and distribution through the fuel. These can also be used if needed as evidence in any dispute or claim that may be pursued.

If any doubt over the adequate reduction of water then vessels should take further samples for analysis from before and after the purifier(s) and at engine entry to confirm reduction of water to acceptable levels for engine entry.

 

Photo credit: Hans Reniers on Unsplash
Published: 6 November, 2024

Continue Reading

Business

Trafigura faces risk of USD 1.1 billion loss from misconduct in Mongolia

Firm said the misconduct included manipulation of data and documents, resulting in inflated sums being paid by Trafigura, and deliberate concealment of overdue receivables.

Admin

Published

on

By

Trafigura logo

Global commodities trading firm Trafigura on Wednesday (30 November) said an internal review and an external forensic investigation have uncovered serious misconduct by individuals in Trafigura’s Mongolian petroleum products supply business.  

The Singapore-headquartered firm said the misconduct included manipulation of data and documents, resulting in inflated sums being paid by Trafigura, and deliberate concealment of overdue receivables. It involved a complex chain of transactions with a small number of local counterparties.  

“The external investigation remains ongoing but has confirmed a significant exposure for the Group, accumulated over approximately five years. A substantial proportion of the total exposure has been acknowledged as a debt owed to Trafigura by our principal counterparty in Mongolia. We intend to hold the counterparty to their repayment obligation,” it said in a statement on its website. 

Taking a conservative view of expected debt recovery, however, Trafigura expects to record a total provision of USD1.1 billion. While the accounting treatment under IFRS is subject to final audit, it is likely that Trafigura will be required to restate prior year comparative figures in its 2024 financial statements, in accordance with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 8.  

Jeremy Weir, Executive Chairman and CEO, said: “We are bitterly disappointed by the misconduct in our Mongolian oil business. There is no place in Trafigura for wrongdoing and we are taking appropriate disciplinary action against the small number of individuals involved.”

“Following in-depth reviews, we are confident that this issue is isolated to a self-contained operation in Mongolia. Nonetheless, we are taking further actions to improve oversight and controls across the Group.”

“I also want to recognise the increased internal scrutiny of our business introduced during 2023 and the conscientiousness of the Trafigura employees that helped us uncover these issues.  Their diligence reflects the culture of responsibility and ownership we aim to instil throughout our global business.”  

Following a comprehensive risk assessment of our global network of offices, in-depth reviews have been completed in higher-risk locations with no significant findings. Trafigura has identified and will continue to implement a range of further actions to strengthen credit control, risk management, operational and other controls. These actions will be subject to external assurance, reporting to the Audit Committee.  

Trafigura will report full-year results in December 2024 for the financial year ended 30 September 2024.  As at the balance sheet date, the Group maintained a strong liquidity position of USD 14.15 billion and expects to report shareholders’ equity in excess of USD 16 billion, subject to final audit. 

 

Photo credit: Trafigura
Published: 5 November, 2024

Continue Reading
Advertisement
  • EMF banner 400x330 slogan
  • RE 05 Lighthouse GIF
  • SBF2
  • Consort advertisement v2
  • Aderco advert 400x330 1
  • v4Helmsman Gif Banner 01

OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS

  • Singfar advertisement final
  • SEAOIL 3+5 GIF
  • HL 2022 adv v1
  • Triton Bunkering advertisement v2
  • 102Meth Logo GIF copy


  • CNC Logo Rev Manifold Times
  • E Marine logo
  • PSP Marine logo
  • Auramarine 01
  • Synergy Asia Bunkering logo MT
  • Cathay Marine Fuel Oil Trading logo
  • Uni Fuels oct 2024 ad
  • Mokara Final
  • endress
  • 300 300
  • VPS 2021 advertisement
  • 400x330 v2 copy
  • Headway Manifold
  • Advert Shipping Manifold resized1

Trending