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Shell MGO bunker heist: Ex-Shell employee admits leading role in illicit operation

Juandi bin Pungot pocketed at least SGD 5.6 million from his crimes, spending most of it on luxury watches and vehicles; he is released from court on a SGD 550,000 bail.

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A former Shell Eastern Petroleum employee on Tuesday (8 February) reportedly pleaded guilty for his leading role in the Shell MGO bunker heist in misappropriation of marine gas oil from the Pulau Bukom refinery for sale to other parties.

Former Shell employee Juandi bin Pungot, 45, then a Shore Loading Officer, and two others were said to be the key planners of the scheme to conduct illegal loadings in 2007.

Juandi pleaded guilty in the High Court of Singapore to 36 charges stemming from the misappropriation of over 300,000 mt, or SGD 127.7 million worth, of marine gas oil.

The charges include graft, laundering benefits from criminal conduct, and conspiracy to commit criminal breach of trust as a servant.

He gained at least SGD 5.6 million from his crimes, spending the majority of it on luxury watches and vehicles, Singapore and foreign properties including a Hougang condominium unit, foreign exchange trading, gambling and investments.

Prosecutors are seeking almost 30 years’ jail for him, while his lawyer Noor Marican is requesting for 15 years instead.

His sentencing was adjourned to an undetermined date and was allowed to remain out on SGD 550,000 bail. The court will take into consideration another 49 charges for sentencing purposes.

According court documents obtained by Manifold Times previously, former Shell employees Juandi and colleague Abdul Latif bin Ibrahim first began to conduct illegal loadings in 2007.

Emboldened by their initial success, the duo expanded their illegal loadings to other bunker tankers, and recruited other colleagues into their scheme between 2008 and mid-2013.

Juandi and Abdul Latif subsequently recruited Muhammad Ashraf into the criminal syndicate no later than 2010.

At one point, their operations involved corruptly bribing independent surveyors appointed by Shell to conduct inspections on the quality and quantity of gasoil sold to vessels, to refrain from accurately reporting the presence of excess gasoil onboard vessels which had been misappropriated.

Two other former staff of Shell Eastern Petroleum, Muhammad Ashraf Hamzah and Sadagopan Premnath were sentenced to jail over their respective involvement in the theft of MGO from the Shell Bukom terminal.

Court proceedings against other allegedly involved parties, including former employees of Shell Pulau Bukom, are ongoing.

Related: Shell MGO bunker heist: Sentek ex-Director faces 40 fresh charges
Related: Shell MGO bunker heist: Two former Shell employees jailed over theft
RelatedShell MGO bunker heist: High Court affirms ‘Prime South’ forfeiture to Singapore State
RelatedShell MGO bunker heist: Three ex-Shell employees charged with bribing surveyors
RelatedShell MGO bunker heist: Second ex-Shell employee pleads guilty to nine charges
RelatedShell MGO bunker heist: First ex-Shell employee to plead guilty over involvement
RelatedShell MGO bunker heist: Director of Singapore bunkering firm released from police custody
RelatedShell MGO bunker heist: Oil tanker ‘Prime South’ forfeited by State Courts of Singapore
RelatedShell MGO bunker heist: Director of Singapore bunkering firm face charge at State Courts
RelatedShell Singapore oil heist: Third offender pleads guilty for gas oil theft
RelatedCaptain of “Prime South” jailed in Shell Pulau Bukom gas oil theft
RelatedShell Singapore oil heist: Ex-Chief Officer of Prime South jailed
RelatedSingapore: Shell MGO bunker heist amount balloons to USD$142 million
RelatedShell MGO bunker heist update: Fresh charges issued at Singapore court
RelatedShell Singapore oil heist: More charges issued at court
RelatedShell Singapore oil heist: Breakdown of stolen oil cargoes
RelatedIntertek Singapore employee among Shell oil heist suspects

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 9 February, 2022

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Biofuel

NYK to launch Japan’s first antioxidant for biodiesel bunker fuel in August

When added to biofuel, BioxiGuard slows progression of oxidative degradation and helps deter issues such as metal corrosion, strainer blockage, and cleaning-system fouling often triggered by oxidised fuel.

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Japan’s first antioxidant by NYK for biodiesel bunker fuel set to release in August

Nippon Yuka Kogyo (Nippon Yuka), an NYK Group company specialising in chemical R&D as well as the manufacture and sale of chemical products, on Wednesday (21 May) announced the upcoming release of BioxiGuard, the Japan’s first antioxidant specially developed for marine biodiesel, from 10 August.

NYK said compared with conventional petroleum-based fuels, biofuel contains a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, making it more susceptible to oxidative degradation. Once oxidised, the biofuel can produce acidic substances and sludge, adversely affecting vessel fuel efficiency by reducing the fuel’s calorific value.

Developed by Nippon Yuka based on property analyses of the biofuel used in NYK-operated vessels, BioxiGuard is specifically formulated to enhance the oxidation stability of biodiesel. When added to biofuel, BioxiGuard slows the progression of oxidative degradation and helps deter issues such as metal corrosion, strainer blockage, and cleaning-system fouling often triggered by oxidised fuel.

According to laboratory tests conducted by Nippon Yuka researchers, the addition of BioxiGuard at a concentration of 1 part per 500 resulted in an approximate 50% reduction in the rate of biofuel degradation compared to untreated biofuel. 

This significant improvement underscores the potential for vessel operators to not only extend the useful life of biofuel on board but also maintain more stable and cost-effective vessel operations.

 

Photo credit: NYK
Published: 22 May, 2025

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Wind-assisted

Dealfeng to equip Singapore-based Hung Ze’s chemical tankers with rotor sails

Project marks Chinese firm Dealfeng’s first overseas commercial contract for its wind-assisted propulsion technology which entails equipping a new series of 14,000 DWT chemical tankers with Dealfeng Rotor Sails.

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Singapore-based Hung Ze chemical tankers to be equipped with Dealfeng rotor sails

Dealfeng, a Chinese provider of wind-assisted propulsion systems, on Tuesday (20 May) said it has assigned a cooperation agreement with Singapore-based shipowner Hung Ze Shipping.

The partnership will equip a new series of 14,000 DWT chemical tankers with Dealfeng® Rotor Sails. 

Each vessel will feature a 5m x 24m Dealfeng Rotor Sail installed on its forecastle deck. Collaborating with maritime software leader NAPA, the project will utilise route optimisation systems to maximise the efficiency of wind-assisted voyages, further enhancing fuel savings and emissions reduction while improving overall energy performance.

“The first vessel in the series is scheduled for delivery with the rotor sail system in the fourth quarter of 2025. Preliminary calculations indicate that the technology will achieve approximately 8% fuel savings on the vessel’s trading routes,” the company said in a social media post. 

The project marked Dealfeng’s first overseas commercial contract for its wind-assisted propulsion technology.

Dealfeng, a clean energy technology company specialising in the R&D, manufacturing, and EPC services of shipborne energy-saving systems, has long focused on developing Wind Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS). Its core product, the Rotor Sail, harnesses wind energy via the Magnus effect to provide auxiliary propulsion for vessels. 

Tailored to different ship types, the system offers fuel and carbon emission reductions of 5%–25%, with even greater efficiency under favorable wind conditions. Dealfeng’s Rotor Sail technology has obtained certifications from multiple classification societies and has been successfully deployed across numerous vessels, accumulating years of operational experience that validate its safety, reliability, and effectiveness.

Hung Ze operates a diverse fleet ranging from 5,000 DWT vessels to MR product tankers. 

 

Photo credit: Dealfeng
Published: 22 May, 2025

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Newbuilding

Höegh Autoliners latest LNG dual-fuel PCTC en route to Shanghai for bunkering

The 9,100 CEU “Höegh Sunrise”, currently sailing the seas, is on its way to Shanghai for bunkering before sailing to Japan and then towards Europe.

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Höegh Autoliners latest LNG dual-fuel PCTC en route to Shanghai for bunkering

Höegh Autoliners on Tuesday (20 May) said its latest liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel pure car and truck carrier has departed China Merchants Heavy Industry’s yard, ready to commence its commercial operations.

The 9,100 CEU Höegh Sunrise, currently sailing the seas, is on its way to Shanghai for bunkering before sailing to Japan and then towards Europe. 

The PCTC is the fifth in a series of 12 Aurora Class vessels built by the shipyard in China. The first eight Auroras are or will be equipped with engines primed to run on LNG and low-sulphur oil. 

These vessels can be converted to run on ammonia later. By 2027, Höegh Autoliners said the four last vessels of the series will be able to run net zero on ammonia directly from the yard when delivered.

Manifold Times previously reported the naming ceremony of Höegh Autoliner’s fourth Aurora Class newbuild, Höegh Sunlight, at Taicang Haitong Auto Terminal.

Related: Höegh Autoliners names LNG-powered RoRo ship “Höegh Sunlight” in China|
Related: Gasum completes SIMOPS LNG bunkering operation of PCTC “Höegh Sunlight”

 

Photo credit: Höegh Autoliners
Published: 22 May, 2025

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