Singapore-based multi-disciplinary law firm Helmsman LLC on Tuesday (1 September) said it has appointed Raj Mannar as Director and Head of its Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions practice. 

Raj brings close to fifteen years of experience advising on corporate and commercial matters, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, investments, fundraising and employment.

Raj’s arrival strengthens the firm’s Corporate, M&A capabilities across Southeast Asia and beyond. He regularly advises on cross-border acquisitions and divestments, joint ventures and corporate restructurings, and equity and debt fundraisings. His deal experience has seen him act on both domestic and cross border transactions valued, in aggregate, in excess of USD 500 million.

His wider practice also covers corporate governance and general commercial matters, most recently acting as Singapore counsel on Victory Giant Technology’s USD 2.6 billion listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Raj has been recognised as one of Southeast Asia’s Top 40 Under 40 lawyers by LexisNexis and as a Rising Star by AsiaLaw.

Ian Teo, Managing Director of Helmsman, said: “We are delighted to welcome Raj to Helmsman. His deep transactional experience across complex, cross-border matters and his track record advising clients through every stage of a deal make him an outstanding addition to our team. We look forward to the continued growth of our Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions practice under his leadership.”

Raj Mannar said: “Helmsman has built its reputation on commercial, client-focused advice, and I am delighted to join at this stage of the firm’s growth. I look forward to working with the team to build out the Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions practice in Singapore and across the region.”’

Photo credit: Helmsman
Published: 1 September, 2026

Clean energy equipment and services provider CIMC Enric on Monday (31 August) said LNG-powered container vessel Digul Mas, owned by Indonesian listed shipping company TEMAS Group, has successfully completed its commercial maiden voyage.

The vessel has commenced operations on the inter-island route connecting Surabaya, Kendari, and Gorontalo, Indonesia.

The vessel adopts an innovative LNG fuel tank swapping model, enabling flexible and efficient LNG refuelling without relying on large-scale bunkering infrastructure.

As a key solution provider for the project, CIMC Enric supplied specialised marine LNG fuel tanks and delivered TEMAS Group’s 5 MMSCFD skid-mounted LNG liquefaction plant.

“Together, these solutions create an integrated LNG value chain covering liquefaction, storage and transportation, and marine fuel utilisation,” the company said. 

“For Indonesia’s archipelagic shipping market, where natural gas pipeline infrastructure is limited and the construction of large-scale LNG bunkering terminals can be challenging, this model offers a flexible alternative.” 

By combining skid-mounted LNG liquefaction plants with standardised LNG fuel tanks, CIMC Enric’s virtual pipeline solution enables LNG to be produced, transported, stored, and supplied to vessels independently and flexibly—reducing the need for extensive modifications to existing bunkering infrastructure.

“The successful operation of Digul Mas marked an important milestone in the application of CIMC Enric’s virtual pipeline solution in overseas marine transportation, while demonstrating a practical and replicable pathway for the low-carbon transformation of maritime shipping in Indonesia and Southeast Asia,” the company added. 

Photo credit: CIMC Enric
Published: 1 September, 2026

The Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) recently released its latest edition of frequently asked questions (FAQ) on the bunkering of biofuels for ocean-going vessels in the Port of Singapore. 

This update covers the latest technical, commercial, test and regulatory guidance of biofuel bunkering and onboard use of marine biofuels. 

The focus of the document is on FAME-based liquid biofuels and blends as this type of biofuel is expected to become most widely adopted by the shipping industry. Other non-FAME-based biofuels have also been addressed where relevant.

It also covers commercial considerations, including biofuel supply and availability, market outlook, pricing, sustainability documentation, government incentives, and the commercial supply chain for biofuels in Singapore.

“This publication is relevant to technical, marine, operations, sustainability and compliance personnel of ship owners and operators,” SSA said in a social media post.

“The FAQ is intended to be only for informational purposes and is not exhaustive.”

Note: SSA’s ‘FAQ on Bunkering of Biofuels for Ocean-Going Vessels in the Port of Singapore’ can be read here. 

Photo credit: Singapore Shipping Association
Published: 1 September, 2026