Business

Obituary: Singapore bunker surveying industry loses veteran Daniel Phua

Daniel Phua passed away while doing what he loved most – playing golf – on Thursday (7 October), learned bunkering publication Manifold Times.

Published

5 years ago

October 8, 2021

Admin

Singapore bunker surveyor veteran Daniel Phua passed away while doing what he loved most – playing golf – on Thursday (7 October), learned bunkering publication Manifold Times.

Professionally, Phua is the Director of surveying firm Potential Inspection Services and a Director of the Academy of International Maritime Studies; he is also the Founder and President of the 2017-established Association of Bunker Industry Singapore, also known as ABIS.

Personally, he is also known as a loving family man; Phua leaves behind son Phua Nahum with daughter in law – Chong Hui Ting; eldest daughter Phua Naomi with son-in-law Seah Chee Fong and grandson Micaiah Seah; and youngest daughter Phua Natassia.

Words from the Phua Family

“Thank you for being a selfless, caring and ever loving father. Bringing not just rice but also joy and laughter home. Always teaching and guiding us to soar to our highest but also to stay humble to the ground. We will always remember the lessons you’ve taught us and also we will miss you dearly,” says the Phua Family in a joint statement.

Madeline Lee, Sales Manager, Island Oil Trading (Singapore)

You always gave us your sincere advice whenever we asked. You doted on your family and was happiest with your brood surrounding you with your cooking. With a broken heart, I want to thank you for sharing your knowledge and will always miss your rich laughter. I just wish we have more times to share together but with the golden memories you left behind, it will be cherished. You will always be remembered in my heart. Have a great journey up there. RIP.

Dennis Ho, Managing Director, ElbOil Singapore

I got to know Daniel back in the days when IBIA Asia was still in its formative years. I remember fondly the time we spent together during SIBCON week organising an IBIA initiated golf event to raise money for a scholarship fund that till today is benefitting the younger generation aspiring for a career in the maritime industry.

We went to organise a few more golfing events over the years. Be it canvassing for sponsors or taking up a few golf flights for these events, Daniel’s support and commitment is always there. Over the years, we developed a relationship that is hard to describe – but you know he’s there when you need him. He will be greatly missed by the Singapore bunkering industry. May he rest in peace.

Simon Neo, Operations Director, Sevenseas Oil Trading

I have known Daniel, since 2004 when he first joined IBIA as a member and also as an EXCO member. His passion for golf is so strong, that he together with some members of the EXCO, started to organise an annual golf event for the industry and have been very successful at it. He also made great contribution to the bunker surveying industry by establishing the Association of Bunkering Industry Singapore, commonly known as ABIS, to raise voices of the bunker surveying industry. It is sad to hear of his passing and the bunker surveying industry will greatly miss him.

Douglas Raitt, Regional Advisory Services Manager, Lloyd’s Register

I have known Daniel pretty much since I arrived in Singapore over 20 years ago and came to know him as a very hard working entrepreneurial professional in the bunker industry. He always had an incredible sense of humour and dealing with him was a delight. We have lost a great man who contributed a lot to the industry.

Association of Bunker Industry (Singapore)

We are all deeply sadden and shocked upon the demise of our ABIS President. We have lost a comrade, a friend and a leader whom had taken us from a bunch of loose sand and mounded us into an effective association that made contribution to the bunkering industry. It would be difficult for us to replace him.

Gabian Chew, Founder, Manifold Times

Daniel has been one of the rare individuals unafraid to speak his mind when it comes to the more sensitive issues pertaining the Singapore bunkering industry; these qualities were probably what led him to setup ABIS in order to give bunker surveying firms a voice at Singapore port.

Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts; he will be remembered.

Details of the wake for wreaths and visitors are as follows:
Date: 8 October to 12 October
Address: Blk 328 Woodlands Street 32
Postal Code: 730328

Photo credit: Phua Family
Published: 8 October, 2021

Business

Singapore: Singamas Petroleum Trading welcomes newbuild “Pacific Wise” to bunkering fleet

The 6,948 dwt Yanmar-powered marine refuelling vessel has a carrying capacity of 6,603 mt and is capable of operation on B100 biofuel.

Published

32 minutes ago

July 24, 2026

Admin

Singapore accredited bunker supplier Singamas Petroleum Trading Pte Ltd (Singamas) on 15 June welcomed its newly built Singapore-flagged bunker tanker Pacific Wise (SB2777C) to its bunkering fleet.

The Yanmar-powered marine refuelling vessel, which has a carrying capacity of 6,603 metric tonnes (mt), is capable of operation on B100 biofuel.

Pacific Wise joins Singamas’s current bunkering fleet comprising of Pacific Sincere, Pacific Honour, and Pacific Pride at Singapore port.

“The successful approval of Pacific Wise represents an important milestone in the sustainable growth of our company,” Eric Loke, Chief Operating Officer of Singamas, told Manifold Times.

“Their collective efforts have enabled Pacific Wise to enter commercial service successfully.

“As Pacific Wise commences operations, we remain committed to delivering safe, reliable and high-quality bunkering services while supporting Singapore’s position as the world’s leading bunkering hub.

“We look forward to serving our customers with the highest standards of safety, compliance, operational excellence and customer service.”

Pacific Wise 2 MT

Alex Ow Yong, BBM, Adviser to Singamas, highlighted the development further strengthens Singamas’ commitment to provide safe, reliable and efficient bunker delivery services while upholding the highest standards of safety, operational excellence and regulatory compliance for marine fuel deliveries at Singapore port.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), China Classification Society (CCS), our shipyard, consultants, business partners and all stakeholders for their invaluable guidance, professionalism and strong support throughout the construction, classification, registration and approval process,” he stated.

Photo credit: Singamas Petroleum Trading
Published: 24 July 2026

Business

Singapore-based law firm Helmsman names Lin Yan Yan as Chief Executive Officer

Lin joins with over 15 years of senior leadership experience across Asia, most recently as Vice President at ONE Championship, Asia’s largest global sports media property.

Published

56 minutes ago

July 24, 2026

Admin

Singapore-based law firm Helmsman names Lin Yan Yan as Chief Executive Officer

Singapore-based multi-disciplinary law firm Helmsman LLC on Friday (24 July) announced the appointment of Lin Yan Yan as Chief Executive Officer.

Lin’s appointment took effect in June 2026.

Lin joined the company from ONE Championship, Asia’s largest global sports media property, where she served as Vice President with cross-functional responsibility across corporate development, commercial, and corporate affairs.

At ONE Championship, she led global teams, drove market expansion, and spearheaded strategic initiatives including the global distribution of ONE’s media rights worldwide, the structuring and closing of commercial partnerships with leading media, brand and government organisations, the launch and scaling of new business lines, and fundraising across multiple financing rounds. She also led ONE’s Analytics & Insights function and oversaw the organisation’s China business.

Earlier in her career, Lin was a strategy consultant at L.E.K. Consulting before transitioning into principal investing roles at Mission Holdings, VisVires Capital Asia, and Volta Circle. She began her professional career as a litigation lawyer at Drew & Napier LLC.

Lin holds an MBA from INSEAD, an LLB (Hons) from the National University of Singapore, and has completed MIT’s Applied Data Science Program. She is admitted as an Advocate & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore and is fluent in Mandarin.

Ian Teo, Managing Director, Helmsman, said: “We are delighted to welcome Yan Yan to Helmsman as our Chief Executive Officer. Yan Yan joins Helmsman at an exciting stage of the firm’s growth.

“Her record of building and running complex organisations across Asia, combined with her deep commercial and strategic instincts, makes her exceptionally well-placed to lead the firm through its next chapter. We look forward to the energy and vision she brings to this role.”

Photo credit: Helmsman
Published: 24 July, 2026

LNG Bunkering

Stabilis Solutions targets Q3 2028 launch for Galveston LNG bunkering facility

Firm received a LOR from US Coast Guard following a review of a LNG Facility and associated waterfront LNG loading, marine transportation, and LNG bunkering operations in the Port of Galveston.

Published

58 minutes ago

July 24, 2026

Admin

Stabilis Solutions targets Q3 2028 launch for Galveston LNG bunkering facility

Clean energy production solutions provider Stabilis Solutions (Stabilis) on Friday (24 July) said the proposed Stabilis Galveston LNG Facility is anticipated to be in production by the third quarter of 2028.

It will come complete with the delivery of the first new-build, dedicated Jones Act-compliant LNG bunker barge in the Galveston/Houston area.

“This is a significant regulatory and project milestone for Stabilis,” the company said.

This comes following Stabilis receiving a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from the US Coast Guard following their formal review of the proposed Stabilis Galveston LNG Facility and associated waterfront LNG loading, marine transportation, and LNG bunkering operations in the Port of Galveston.

“This critical endorsement of our project from the USCG Captain of the Port to the Port of Galveston and the Galveston Fire Marshal comes after a rigorous safety and security review process,” it said.

“This included a comprehensive evaluation of the potential risks, including navigation hazards, vessel traffic density impacts, emergency response capabilities, maritime security threats, and application of appropriate mitigation measures.”

Manifold Times previously reported Stabilis terminating a previously announced 10-year agreement with a leading investment-grade global marine operator to supply LNG from the company’s proposed 350,000 gallon-per-day Galveston liquefaction facility.

As a result, the company expected delays to the anticipated final investment decision, project financing, and development timeline for the Galveston LNG facility.

Photo credit: Stabilis Solutions
Published: 24 July, 2026