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Rajah & Tann: Vessel arrests in Singapore continue to be on the up, despite COVID-19

The arrest of vessels at the world’s largest bunkering port continues to be an effective method of obtaining recovery on maritime-related claims, says Partner Max Lim.

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Max Lim, a Partner of legal firm Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, on Wednesday (20 August) provided marine fuel industry readers of Manifold Times a briefing on why the arrest of vessels at the world’s largest bunkering port continues to be an effective method of obtaining recovery on maritime-related claims.

SINGAPORE.

It is business as usual as far as vessel arrests in Singapore are concerned.

Notwithstanding the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 has not seen a slowdown in vessel arrests, with numbers comparable to years past.

In 2020, there have been 25 vessel arrests in Singapore to date, or an average of just over 3 arrests per month so far. This figure is comparable to last year’s numbers, and bears testament to Singapore remaining the jurisdiction of choice for vessel arrest.

As at the time of writing, there are 7 vessels presently still under arrest in Singapore.

Further, in 2020 alone, as of date, an impressive total of about 194 court actions (or writs) have been filed against vessels and vessel owners in the Singapore court.

Singapore is one of the few jurisdictions in the world which allow maritime claimants to file a protective claim in Court, even before the vessel calls into Singapore. It is “protective” because upon filing, the claim is lodged as against the owner as of that date, and protects against any subsequent change in ownership.  That protective claim may then serve as the basis for arresting the vessel when she comes, notwithstanding that ownership may have changed in the interim.

Other key reasons for Singapore being a jurisdiction of choice for vessel arrests, apart from geography and being a popular bunkering hub, include the efficient and reliable system and because there is no requirement for counter-security or power of attorney.

So far in 2020, 2 vessels have been sold by the Singapore Court.  S&P brokers will also be keen to know that there are currently a further 5 vessels up for sale.

SG vessel arrest numbers

Fig.  Singapore arrests – YTD numbers at a glance

A quick word on COVID-19.  The Singapore Court was quick to implement Zoom hearings for urgent applications, including vessel arrest and release.  Anecdotally, this actually proved to be more efficient than the traditional physical hearing. No doubt, the implementation of Zoom hearings has been instrumental in ensuring that Singapore remains the jurisdiction of choice for arrests.

The parties making the arrests in Singapore primarily tend to include banks seeking to enforce their mortgages. At least one of the arrests in 2020 was a bank enforcement action, taken out by a Swiss-headquartered bank.

Bunker players are also active in vessel arrests here – no surprise given Singapore’s status as a bunkering hub.  For bunker players, swift and decisive action to arrest is necessary, especially before the shipowner takes steps towards restructuring which may impede enforcement.

Parties with cargo-related or charter party-related claims also look to arrest in Singapore to obtain security for their arbitration (whether taking place in Singapore, London or elsewhere).

The spate of commodities-related defaults in 2020 (both here and elsewhere) has also contributed to the arrest numbers in Singapore, but perhaps not to the extent one may have expected.  One such case that springs to mind would be the Hontop-related arrest in (“Miracle Hope”) that was reported in the international press.

Trade financiers seeking to arrest the carrying ship to enforce their security may do so on the basis of original, bona fide bills of lading. Part of the reason why there has not been that many vessel arrests relating to the collapse of the commodity players could be because of the apparent use of forged bills of lading as has been widely reported, or duplicates. Trade financiers who find themselves in such a position would have to seek alternate means of recovery.

If the year-to-date numbers are anything to go by, the arrest of vessels in Singapore continues to prove to be an effective method of obtaining recovery on maritime-related claims.

 

Written by: Max Lim, Partner, Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP © 2020
Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 20 August, 2020

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China: Yangpu records 27% on year increase in bunkering volumes from Jan to May

Latest bunker supplier at Yangpu port is Hainan Luhai Energy which received a license from the Danzhou Municipal People’s Government in April 2025.

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The Port of Yangpu located in Hainan Island recorded a 27% on year increase in bonded bunkering volume for the period between January to May 2025 due to local government initiatives, according to Danzhou Municipal People’s Government on 5 July.

During the five-month period, the port supplied 149,400 metric tonnes (mt) of bunker fuel to 288 international vessels, compared to 117,400 mt of marine fuel to 278 ships in the year before.

Explaining the 2025 figures, the government pointed out 145,400 mt of bonded bunker fuel to 275 vessels were delivered by bunkering firms under national licenses, while 4,000 mt of bonded marine fuel were sent by bunkering companies under Hainan licenses.

To date, there are four bunker suppliers operating at Yangpu port. The latest to join is Luhai Energy Technology Development (Hainan) Co., Ltd (陆海能源科技发展(海南)有限公司) which received a license from the Danzhou Municipal People’s Government in April 2025.

“In the future, we will continue to work hard to continuously optimise the bonded oil refuelling service system, increase policy publicity and promotion efforts, attract more bonded oil refuelling companies to settle in Yangpu, and continuously expand the scale of business, and promote the implementation of the bonded oil refuelling policy,” stated Li Leiming, a mid-level employee of the Yangpu Investment Promotion Bureau.

 

Photo credit: Chuanhaozi under Creative Commons Licences
Published: 14 July 2025

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Singapore retains ranking as world’s top maritime centre for 12th consecutive year

Finds report jointly published by the Baltic Exchange and China’s Xinhua News Agency.

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Singapore bunker tankers and sky

Singapore on Friday (11 July) said it has retained its ranking as the world’s top maritime centre, marking the 12th consecutive year it has led the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development (ISCD) Index.

Jointly published by the Baltic Exchange and China’s Xinhua News Agency, the Xinhua-Baltic ISCD Index provides an independent benchmarking of the world’s leading maritime hubs.

It evaluates factors such as cargo throughput, port infrastructure, maritime services (including finance, law and shipbroking), and the overall business environment.

The index is closely monitored by shipping lines, port investors, and maritime service providers to track market competitiveness, and inform investment location and service development decisions.

Singapore retained its top position among 43 maritime cities and regions, underpinned by its consistent performance as one of the world’s busiest transhipment and bunkering hubs, and a well-established ecosystem of professional maritime services and expertise.

In 2024, Singapore handled 41.12 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in container throughput – a record high – and saw total vessel arrival tonnage exceed 3 billion gross tons. The Port of Singapore also remains the world’s largest bunkering port, having supplied 54.92 million tonnes of marine fuel in 2024.

Home to more than 200 international shipping groups and a growing number of maritime technology start-ups, Singapore continues to strengthen its position as a global node for maritime innovation and enterprise.

This growing industry base is also creating new career pathways in areas such as port operations, digital systems management, automation, maritime law, and sustainability – as the sector transforms to meet the needs of a more digital and decarbonised future.

“We thank our industry partners, the research and enterprise community, and our unions who have been instrumental in Singapore’s journey to become a leading international maritime centre and global hub port,” said Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

“We will continue to build on this momentum by innovating and investing in digitalisation, green technologies, and workforce development to strengthen Singapore’s position as a trusted and future-ready international maritime centre.”

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 14 July 2025

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“LNG London” marks 1,000 safe LNG bunkering ops in Rotterdam and Antwerp

Milestone is a tribute to the technical expertise and steadfast dedication of LNG London’s team, states Victrol.

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The LNG London, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel chartered by Shell, owned by LNG Shipping, and operated by Victrol recently completed over 1,000 safe LNG bunkering operations across the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp.

“This landmark achievement underscores LNG London’s unwavering commitment to safety, reliability, and environmental stewardship as LNG rises to prominence as a lower-emission marine fuel compared to conventional fuel oil,” stated Victrol on Friday (11 July) over a LinkedIn update.

“With this milestone, LNG London reaffirms its pioneering role in promoting sustainable, lower-emission bunkering throughout the Amsterdam–Rotterdam–Antwerp (ARA) hub.”

Launched in June 2019, LNG London has a capacity of 3,000 m³, spans 110 m in length, and navigates inland waterways with ease—facilitating efficient LNG supply to both seagoing vessels and barges offshore-energy.

Victrol as the vessel’s operator, emphasises the outstanding performance of the crew and the vessel’s robust design. Built with stringent safety specifications, LNG London strives to maintain high operational standards. This milestone is a tribute to the team’s technical expertise and steadfast dedication.

Building on the good work of LNG London, Shell had also enhanced its bunkering network with the larger Energy Stockholm, an 8,000 m³ bunker vessel, now operating in Antwerp, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, and Amsterdam.

Related: Europe: ‘LNG London’ bunkering vessel starts operations at Rotterdam
Related: “LNG London” conducts first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operation at Rotterdam
Related: Bureau Veritas classifies Europe’s largest inland waterway LNG bunker barge
Related: Europe’s largest LNG bunkering barge on maiden voyage to ARA
Related: Shell takes delivery of Europe’s largest inland LNG bunkering vessel

 

Photo credit: Victrol
Published: 14 July 2025

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