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Singapore: DNV signs MOU with SIT to promote maritime decarbonization and digitalization

Partners to collaborate on knowledge exchange and research initiatives to further advance industry’s ‘2D’ efforts in the Singapore maritime ecosystem.

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Classification society DNV on Friday (23 September) said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) to explore opportunities to advance net-zero ambitions in Singapore’s maritime sector and actively support the new generation workforce.

As part of the three-year partnership, DNV Maritime Decarbonization & Autonomy Regional Centre of Excellence will help spearhead multiple Research & Development (R&D) and educational initiatives in collaboration with SIT’s Sustainable Maritime Engineering Strategic Translational Research Programme.

The partners have agreed to cooperate on:

  • development of ship and system designs using simulation-based approaches;
  • joint industry applied research projects with entities in the Singapore maritime ecosystem within the areas of decarbonization & digitalization;
  • a deeper and wider knowledge exchange between the two.

“This MOU represents a new level of collaboration with SIT, and the beginning of a partnership focused on innovation, education and cooperation that will help accelerate the maritime industry’s sustainable transition goals,” said Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria, Regional Manager, Maritime South-East Asia, Pacific and India, DNV.

The MOU will enable DNV to support SIT and other maritime entities in Singapore to use DNV’s Simulation Trust Centre for educational and R&D purposes. Research collaborations between DNV and SIT will focus on advancing zero-emission and autonomous ships; shore remote control and simulation centres; shore charging and future fuel bunkering infrastructure.

Under the agreement, DNV intends to transfer knowledge in maritime decarbonization and digitalization to SIT to develop industry postgraduate programmes. The collaboration brings together the university’s applied learning pedagogy and DNV’s Simulation Trust Centre to conduct lessons on optimizing ships, and system design for advanced hydrodynamics, energy management system, emission control, and system safety.

Students will also gain opportunities to collaborate with DNV on capstone projects in novel maritime technology applications, perform their Integrated Work Study Programme at DNV, and co-organize student competitions.

DNV Maritime Decarbonization & Autonomy Regional Centre of Excellence in Singapore focuses on maritime digitalization, decarbonization and port capabilities in support of South-East Asia’s transition to a smart and sustainable future.

Set up in 2021 with support from the Singapore Economic Development Board, the regional Centre of Excellence offers a knowledge-sharing forum for industry roundtables and seminars to engage with all stakeholders on maritime green transition trends, such as LNG, Marine Battery, and Hydrogen/Ammonia as fuel.

The centre also conducts joint industry projects, co-funded by DNV, and supports the sector with tailor-made consultancy projects.

Dr. Shahrin Osman, Director of DNV Maritime Decarbonization & Autonomy Regional Centre of Excellence, said: “Singapore is a global maritime hub which supports the test-bedding of innovative solutions. It is paramount that we engage both Institutes of Higher Learning as well as industry stakeholders to ensure that R&D efforts and investments are supporting the maritime transformation, and we are proud to lead the change with SIT.”

Prof John Thong, Deputy President (Academic) & Provost, SIT, said: “Our collaboration with DNV offers valuable opportunities for SIT to intensify R&D that will help boost Singapore as a leading and sustainable maritime hub by leveraging new technologies and innovation. Additionally, the close academia-industry partnership will enhance authentic learning for our students and contribute towards capability building in the local maritime industry and across its ecosystem. SIT is delighted to partner with DNV in this endeavour.”

 

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 23 September, 2022

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Legal

Singapore withdraws remaining 127 charges against Hin Leong founder OK Lim

Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges on 17 July.

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RESIZED Sora Shimazaki on Pexels

Founder of collapsed oil trader Hin Leong Trading, Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, has had the remaining 127 charges against him withdrawn, according to The Straits Times on Monday (20 July). 

OK Lim was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges, including those for cheating, on 17 July. The discharge means Lim cannot be prosecuted again for the same offences.

Lim, 84, is currently serving a 13½-year prison sentence after the High Court reduced his original 17½-year jail term in March 2026. He was convicted in 2024 on two cheating charges and one count of abetting forgery in a case prosecutors described as one of Singapore’s most serious trade finance frauds.

Lim was convicted in May 2024 of two charges of cheating the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and one count of abetting forgery that proceeded to trial out of a total of 130 criminal charges.

He was first charged in court on 14 August 2020, and was subsequently handed further charges in court on 25 September 2020, 30 April 2021 and 24 June 2021 for his role in perpetuating fraud on various financial institutions. 

A total of 130 charges were eventually brought against him for cheating and forgery-related offences.

Related: Singapore: Hin Leong Founder OK Lim gets jail term slashed to 13.5 years

 

Photo credit: Sora Shimazaki
Published: 21 July, 2026

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Winding up

Singapore: Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd to be wound up voluntarily

Coastal Logistics was reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

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RESIZED Drew Beamer

Several resolutions for Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd were made during an extraordinary general meeting held on 14 July, according to a notice in the Government Gazette on Friday (4 July).

The following resolutions were duly passed during the meeting:

As Special Resolution

  • That it has been proved to the satisfaction of the meeting that the Company cannot by reason of its liabilities continue its business and accordingly the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 160(1)(b) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 (No. 40 of 2018);

As Ordinary Resolutions

  • that Mr. Wong Pheng Cheong Martin and Ms. Koay May Yee, both care of FTI Consulting (Singapore) Pte Ltd, One Raffles Quay, #27-10 South Tower, Singapore 048583 be appointed as the joint and several Liquidators of the Company for the purpose of such winding up; and
  • that the Liquidators be at liberty to open, maintain and operate any bank account(s) or account(s) for monies received by them as Liquidators with such bank(s) as they deem fit; and
  • that a Committee of Inspection will not be formed.

Manifold Times previously reported Nicholas James Gronow, director of Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping and Coastal Logistics, filed statutory declarations for both companies stating the firms cannot continue their businesses due to liabilities.

Both companies were reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd. 

In 2019, several vessels owned by both firms entered the sale & purchase (S&P) market in Singapore.

Related: Singapore: Director declares Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping’s inability to continue business
Related: Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping in court over DBS Bank bunker tanker loan
Related: Singapore: Bunker tanker “Coastal Neptune” arrested
Related: Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping, Coastal Logistics tankers enter S&P market

 

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
Published: 21 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

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