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Singapore-based Sing Fuels loses bunker claim against owner of ‘Lila Shanghai’

Sing Fuels claiming over total 1,049.29 metric tonnes of 380 centistokes bunker fuel delivered to bulk carrier Lila Shanghai at Port Elizabeth, South Africa in July 2019, according to court documents.
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Editor’s note: A Sing Fuels representative has confirmed the company is aware of the court order and is currently evaluating its options, including a potential appeal, with legal representatives.

Singapore-based energy trading company Sing Fuels Pte Ltd (Plaintiff) has lost a bunker claim of USD 532,000 (exact: USD 532,312.48) against Autumn Harvest, the owner of 2011 built 43,692 GT bulk carrier Lila Shanghai (Defendant), at a U.S. Court on 19 April 2021 due to no maritime lien established.

“The Court finds that there is no privity of contract between the Defendant owner of the Vessel and the Plaintiff. Specifically, the subcharterer, MedMar Inc., did not have actual, apparent, or presumed authority to hold the Defendant liable for the bunker fuel,” it stated in a judgement seen by Manifold Times.

Sing Fuels was claiming over a total 1,049.29 metric tonnes (mt) of 380 centistokes (cSt) bunker fuel delivered to the vessel at Port Elizabeth, South Africa; it was delivered in two bunker stems of 595.888 mt on 10 July 2019, and 459.038 mt on 12 July 2019.

The bunker stem to the vessel was placed with Costas Mylonakis, a fuel broker at Windrose Marine.

Documents showed Autumn Harvest chartering out the Lila Shanghai to Bostomar Bulk Shipping Pte Ltd, which in turn subchartered the vessel out to MedMar Inc., between the period of 25 April 2019 to 31 December 2019.

A default of MedMar in October 2019 prompted Sing Fuels to track the vessel from October 2019 when it was still at South Africa, to India, and then to the United Kingdom and various others ports before its arrival to the United States in April 2020 where it was eventually arrested.

In summary, the Judgement of the U.S. Court was based on the following findings:

Charter Party Contract

The U.S. Court, which analysed the charter party contract, found MedMar not having actual authority to order necessary supplies that would create a maritime lien on the Lila Shanghai.

Notably, Clause 9 of the charter party contract states “[i]n no event shall Charterers procure, or permit to be procured, for the Vessel, any supplies/services on the credit of the Vessel of her Owners.”

“Therefore, the Court find that the charter party agreement between Defendant and Bostomar, Inc. explicitly states that, while Bostomar could subcharter the Vessel to MedMar Inc., the subcharterer (MedMar Inc.) could not procure any supplies, including fuel, on the credit of the Vessel or the Defendant,” explains the Judge.

No Authority to Create Maritime Lien

Upon establishing Autumn Harvest not authorising MedMar any rights to create a maritime lien on the vessel, the Judge moved on to find out if Mylonakis was indeed an agent of MedMar.

“Mylonakis later revealed that he never had any direct communications with MedMar Inc. regarding these fuel bunkers […] Mylonakis revealed he was only dealing with M.A.C. Shipping and he believed they were the same entity as MedMar Inc,” found the Judge.

Records further showed a “tenous relationship” between Mylonakis and MedMar; not enough to establish a direction relationship to the vessel enough to establish a lien.

“Accordingly, in this case, the Court concludes that Mr. Mylonakis did not have presumed authority to bind the Vessel to the provisions of the Bunker Confirmation. Thus, there is no presumed authority to establish a maritime lien.”

Plaintiff Barred by Laches

Overall, the U.S. Judge believed Sing Fuels had multiple opportunities to take earlier legal action but waited more than nine months after the maritime lien arose (between July 2019 to April 2020) to do so; which was unfair to Autumn Harvest.

“The evidence shows that Sing Fuels does not have a satisfactory excuse for the delay in bringing the cause of action,” he stated.

“First, Sing Fuels was not diligent in investigating MedMar Inc. before finalizing the contract with Mr. Mylonakis for the bunker fuel,” he further wrote, explaining of Sing Fuels not confirming if M.A.C. Shipping was indeed the same company as MedMar.

“Second, during the inquiry period, Sing Fuels investigated MedMar and determined that they had low assets but still decided to extend a $1.6 million credit line. Sing Fuels also provided MedMar with 60 pays to pay the amount owed after the fuel was delivered to the vessel.

“Third, Sing Fuels in its own Terms and Conditions recognizes a six-month limitation to bring claims is fair.”

“Overall, based on principles of equity, the Court finds that the six-month statute of limitations appropriately applies in this case. Thus, Defendant is entitled to a presumption that they have been prejudiced by the delay.”

 

Photo credit: Bill Oxford on Unsplash
Published: 10 May, 2021

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Environment

Indonesia to expedite removal of sunken Malaysia-flagged tanker “Silver Sincere”

Vessel sank while carrying about 1,000 mt of waste oil on 12 January 2025; the wreck was discovered in March 2025 and was found to have drifted about 13 nautical miles from its original sinking site.

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July 20, 2026

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Indonesia to expedite removal of sunken Malaysia-flagged tanker “Silver Sincere”

Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs on Tuesday (14 July) held a cross-agency coordination meeting to expedite efforts in handling the Malaysian-flagged tanker Silver Sincere that sank off Bintan Regency, Riau Islands.

The vessel sank while carrying about 1,000 metric tonnes (mt) of waste oil on 12 January 2025. 

According to authorities, the ship sank within Indonesian waters. After several surveys, the wreck was finally discovered in March 2025 and it was found to have shifted approximately 13 nautical miles from the initial sinking location.

The meeting was aimed to align cross-ministerial and institutional measures to expedite the handling of the Silver Sincere wreck while minimising risks to shipping safety, the marine environment, and national interests.

Deputy for Coordination of State Defense and National Unity Purwito Hadi Wardhono emphasised that the handling of the impact of the Silver Sincere sinking was the first case to be comprehensively coordinated, serving as a model for handling foreign vessels sinking within Indonesian jurisdiction.

Through this cross-sectoral coordination, the government will establish a clear and measurable framework that can serve as a reference for resolving similar cases in the future, while minimising state losses due to environmental pollution, damage to underwater ecosystems and infrastructure, and disruption to shipping lanes.

“The most important thing is to immediately stop and prevent the negative impacts of this ship sinking,” Purwito said.

“Therefore, a coordinating role is crucial, as maritime security governance involves various ministries and institutions with varying authorities, allowing for faster, more integrated, and more effective response,” he said. 

He added that the Silver Sincere was a Malaysian-flagged vessel that sank within Indonesian jurisdiction, and therefore, all handling processes must comply with the provisions of Indonesian laws and regulations.

In the meeting, Prof. Eko Ganis Sukoharsono, representing the SAE Energy Consulting Team, presented the results of an analysis based on 14 observation periods using Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite imagery. 

The analysis results showed strong indications of a waste oil spill that has resulted in marine pollution, damage to the seabed due to shifting shipwrecks, disruption of coastal ecosystems and fishing grounds, and potentially threatening the livelihoods of fishing communities around the Riau Islands. 

Purwito added these findings further emphasise the importance of accelerating the removal of the shipwrecks to prevent widespread environmental impacts, maintain shipping safety, and avoid the potential for greater state losses.

The meeting brought together representatives of related ministries and institutions including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Ministry of Environment, Attorney General’s Office.  

Related: MPA: Malaysia-registered tanker “Silver Sincere” sinks off Pedra Branca

 

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Julian T
Published: 20 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

Singapore: FueLNG achieves 800th LNG bunkering operation milestone

Bunker tanker “FUELNG Venosa” delivered LNG marine fuel to bulk carrier “MV Ubuntu Humanity” at Eastern Bunkering A Anchorage (AEBA) on 11 July.

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July 20, 2026

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Singapore: FueLNG completes 800th LNG bunkering operation

Singapore’s licensed LNG bunker supplier FueLNG on Friday (17 July) announced the successful completion of its 800th LNG bunkering operation in the republic.

The company said bunker tanker FUELNG Venosa delivered LNG marine fuel to bulk carrier MV Ubuntu Humanity at Eastern Bunkering A Anchorage (AEBA) on 11 July. 

“This achievement is more than just a number,” FueLNG said.

“It reflects the trust our customers place in us, the dedication of our operations team, the professionalism of our marine partners, and our unwavering commitment to safe, efficient, and reliable bunker deliveries.” 

Manifold Times previously reported FueLNG completing its 500th LNG ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering operation.

Related: Singapore: FueLNG achieves milestone of 500th STS LNG bunkering operation

 

Photo credit: FueLNG
Published: 20 July, 2026

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Methanol

Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 mt annually.

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July 20, 2026

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Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Ship design and engineering service provider Western Baltic Engineering on Thursday (16 July) showcased its latest concept design for a green methanol bunkering vessel, developed for the operational needs of the Port of Klaipėda.

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 metric tonnes (mt) annually. 

“It is Western Baltic Engineering’s first concept dedicated exclusively to green methanol bunkering, expanding our portfolio of alternative-fuel vessel solutions,” the company said in a social media post.

“Building on our experience in methanol-ready vessel design, it reflects our continued focus on enabling the industry’s transition to cleaner fuels.”

“As the maritime sector evolves, engineering companies have a responsibility not only to respond to market needs but also to anticipate future challenges,” said Marius Arkusauskas, Director at Western Baltic Engineering.

“By exploring emerging technologies and alternative fuel applications, we help our partners prepare for the next generation of maritime operations while contributing to a more sustainable future.”

 

Photo credit: Western Baltic Engineering
Published: 20 July, 2026

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