Owner of Billions Bunker Group dead in suspected suicide

Taiwanese media on Saturday (22 June) reported businessman Chen Shih-hsien, who runs Billions Bunker Group, dead after falling from the top floor of a six-story building at Kaoshiung.

The police department suspects Chen’s death to be a case of suicide; Chen earlier attempted suicide in January 2018 after overdosing on sleeping pills.

Chen was earlier charged by authorities for falsely declaring the route for Lighthouse Winmore.

The Hong Kong-flagged Lighthouse Winmore, a tanker chartered by Billions Bunker Group, was found allegedly delivering either fuel oil or marine gas oil to a North Korean vessel in late December 2017.

Shortly following, the company was de-registered from the corporate registry of the Marshall Islands.

During January 2018, two Billions Bunker Group affiliated oil tankers, namely Kings Way and Twins Bull, were denied entry at Kaohsiung Port in Taiwan.

Win More Shipping, the owner of Lighthouse Winmore, is currently taking legal action against the Hong Kong Marine Department (HKMD) over alleged negligence.

The vessel has been detained at Yeosu, South Korea since late 2017.

Related: HK Judge: Beijing to decide on release of “Lighthouse Winmore”
Related: Hong Kong Marine Department sued by Win More Shipping
Related: Taiwan: Owner of Billions Bunker Group charged in court
Related: Bunker fuel involved in sanctioned North Korea trade
Related: Taiwan-based Billions Bunker Group de-registered
Related: Billions Bunker Group registered tankers denied port entry

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / iwan afwan
Published: 24 June, 2019