Business

Noble Group pushes restructuring effort, disagrees with ACRA

Firm would be ‘forced to enter into a full liquidation process’ if approach does not work, it warns.

Published

6 years ago

December 12, 2018

Admin

Singapore-listed commodities trading firm Noble Group on Tuesday (11 December) said in intends to carry on its restructuring plan by appointing an officer from the Bermuda court to oversee the process.

“Having consulted with its advisers and key stakeholders, including the Ad Hoc Group, the company intends to apply to the Bermudan court for a hearing on 14 December 2018 for the appointment of a court-appointed officer to the company in order to implement the Restructuring in accordance with the terms of the Schemes as already disclosed,” it states.

“The board wishes to highlight that the court-appointed officer will be appointed to the company only and not to any of the company’s subsidiaries, which will continue to trade in the ordinary course.

“The day-to-day operations of the Group will therefore be unaffected: the Group’s trade finance facilities will continue to be available to it and payments to customers and suppliers will be made as usual.”

It points out the course of action to be the only means available for it to implement the restructuring in the interests of all stakeholders.

“In the event that the company is unable for any reason to complete the restructuring in accordance with this approach, the company would be forced to enter into a full liquidation process.”

Noble, meanwhile, point out its disagreement to the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) queries in relation to financial statements of Noble Resources International Pte. Ltd. (NRIPL) for the years ended 31 December 2012 to 31 December 2016.

Noble’s response to the ACRA Letter, in summary, are as follows:

ACRA has challenged the Group derivative treatment for variable marketing contracts.

The Group’s position is that there is both a strong technical basis for fair value accounting and this methodology aligns with the Group’s business model and risk management approach.

ACRA has challenged the Group’s derivative treatment of non-spot physical contracts on the basis that they fail the net settlement criteria.

The Group’s offtake agreements clearly qualify as derivatives, not only in respect of net settlement but also in accordance with other elements of the applicable accounting standard.

ACRA has challenged the initial recognition, on the basis that only the value of identical contracts can be recognised.

The basis applied by the Group to the recognition of gains and losses is well founded and albeit inherently complex it is fully compliant with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

ACRA has challenged the treatment of overhead costs and an assessment that they should be included in the fair value of derivatives.

All costs required by the accounting standards are included in the Group’s valuation models. It would be completely out of line with industry practice and IFRS to include overheads such as rent and salaries.

ACRA has expressed a view that the split between current and non-current assets is incorrect.

The classification is based on aligning the presentation with our risk management approach. Disclosure is augmented with maturity buckets for all fair value assets and liabilities.

“NRIPL disagrees with the positions taken by ACRA and intends to submit to ACRA a comprehensive response to the assessments and questions in the ACRA Letter. The company will make further announcements as necessary,” it states.

Published: 12 December, 2018

Alternative Fuels

Singapore: MPA issues circular on resolutions adopted at IMO MSC 109

New circular informs shipping community of the resolutions, including on use of ammonia cargo as bunker fuel, and urges the shipping community to prepare for the implementation of these resolutions.

Published

60 minutes ago

March 18, 2025

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Monday (17 March) issued Shipping Circular No. 2 of 2025 regarding resolutions adopted by the 109th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 109) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which was held from 2 to 6 December 2024:

This circular informs the shipping community of the resolutions adopted by MSC 109 and urges the shipping community to prepare for the implementation of these resolutions.

MSC 109 adopted the following mandatory resolutions:

Resolution MSC.566(109) – Amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code)

This resolution adopts amendments to Chapter 16 of the IGC Code, mainly to allow the use of ammonia cargo as fuel. The amendments will enter into force on 01 July 2026 and will be given effect through the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Regulations.

Resolution MSC.567(109) – Amendments to the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code)

This resolution adopts amendments to IGF Code regarding ship design and arrangements; general pipe design; safety functions of the gas supply system; fire protection; hazardous area zones; and ventilation requirements. The amendments will enter into force on 01 January 2028 and will be given effect through the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Regulations.

MSC 109 also adopted the following resolutions:

Resolution MSC.568(109) – Amendments to the Revised recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances (resolution MSC.81(70))

This resolution adopts amendments to Part 1- Prototype Test for Life-saving Appliances, for self-righting test requirements of totally enclosed lifeboats, under paragraph 6.14.1.1 of the Revised recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances (resolution MSC.81(70)).

Resolution MSC.569(109) – Performance standards for the reception of maritime safety information and search and rescue related information by MF and HF digital navigational data (NAVDAT) system

This resolution adopts the Performance standards for the reception of maritime safety information and search and rescue related information by MF and HF digital NAVDAT system.

Resolution MSC.509(105)/REV.1 – Provision of radio services for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

This resolution adopts the revised Recommendation on provision of radio services for the GMDSS, the Criteria for use when providing shore-based digital selective calling (DSC) facilities for use in the GMDSS, the Criteria for establishing GMDSS sea areas, the Criteria for use when providing a NAVTEX service and the Criteria for use when providing a NAVDAT service, set out in annexes 1 to 5, respectively, to the resolution. This resolution revokes resolution MSC.509(105).

Resolution MSC.570(109) – Performance standards for a universal shipborne Automatic Identification System (AIS)

This resolution adopts the revised Performance standards for a universal shipborne AIS, recognising the need for measures to prevent unauthorised entry or tampering of the ship's identity information in shipborne AIS.

Any queries relating to this circular should be directed to MPA Shipping Division via email at [email protected].

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 18 March, 2025

Business

Singapore-based AET appoints Nick Potter as new President and CEO

Potter, who assumes the CEO role from Zahid Osman, also assumed the role of Vice President, Petroleum & Products at MISC Group, joining the MISC Executive Leadership Team.

Published

1 hour ago

March 18, 2025

Admin

Singapore-based AET appoints Nick Potter as new President and CEO

Singapore-headquartered AET, MISC’s petroleum arm, on Monday (17 March) announced the appointment of Nick Potter as the new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company.

Potter also assumed the role of Vice President, Petroleum & Products at MISC Group, joining the MISC Executive Leadership Team.

With over 35 years of experience in the maritime and energy sectors, Potter has led commercial, technical, and operational teams across the globe. He previously served as Head of Shipping and Maritime for Asia, Pacific, and the Middle East at Shell, and before that, as Global Head of Maritime at BG Group.

His career began at sea as an Engineering Officer, before progressing through various roles at Shell and BG, giving him deep expertise in maritime logistics and the tanker business.

Beyond his leadership roles, Potter is a strong advocate for energy transition, maritime talent development, and seafarer welfare. He has actively contributed to key industry bodies, including OCIMF, the Singapore Maritime Foundation, and the International Chamber of Shipping's Clean Energy Marine Hubs Task Force.

Outgoing CEO Zahid Osman welcomed Potter in a symbolic leadership handover at AET’s headquarters, marking a new chapter in our journey.

“As Zahid takes on his expanded leadership role as President & Group CEO at MISC, we look forward to continuing our close collaboration as part of MISC Group,” AET added.

Photo credit: AET
Published: 18 March, 2025

Alternative Fuels

AAL Shipping names methanol-ready multipurpose heavy lift vessel in China

Singapore-based AAL Shipping says it held a naming ceremony for “AAL Dubai” – a multipurpose heavy lift vessel that is methanol-ready – at CSSC Huangpu-Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou.

Published

1 hour ago

March 18, 2025

Admin

AAL Shipping names methanol-ready multipurpose heavy lift vessel in China

Singapore-headquartered project heavy lift carrier AAL Shipping (AAL) on Thursday (13 March) said it held a formal naming ceremony for its fifth Super B-Class vessel, AAL Dubai.

The 32,000 dwt AAL Dubai – a multipurpose heavy lift vessel that is methanol-ready – was officially named on March 12 at the CSSC Huangpu-Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou, China.

The AAL Dubai is engineered to transport a vast array of cargo, including heavy lift project equipment, breakbulk, and dry bulk, all on a single voyage. With a combined lifting capacity of 700 tonnes, this vessel is designed to offer high efficiency, cargo flexibility, and economies of scale to shippers worldwide.

The vessel will now embark on its maiden voyage, joining sister vessels AAL Limassol, AAL Hamburg, AAL Houston, and AAL Antwerp in serving project cargo customers across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas.

“We are now over the halfway mark with our Super B-Class deliveries, and those already in service are exceeding our expectations,” said Liew Teck Liong, Chief Financial Officer at AAL.

“With these vessels, we have achieved both company and industry firsts, and we look forward to redefining what a heavy lift, multipurpose vessel can accomplish as we deploy them for complex cargo challenges.”

Later this year, AAL will take delivery of the AAL Dammam, which will be shortly followed by the AAL Newcastle and AAL Mumbai that have an increased maximum heavy lift capability of 800 tonnes.

Photo credit: AAL Shipping
Published: 18 March, 2025