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Singapore: MPA reports high degree of compliance with IMO 2020 regulations in Q1

Report summaries ships consuming non compliant bunker fuel, number of FONAR documents received, and vessels experiencing issues with scrubber operations.
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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Monday (27 April) said in the first quarter of 2020, most ships calling at the Port of Singapore have complied with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2020 sulphur regulations since they came into effect on 1 January 2020.  

Based on pre-arrival notification submitted, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) noted about 96% of the ships that arrived in the Port of Singapore used compliant fuel from January to March 2020. 

This excludes ships installed with open-loop scrubbers that switch to using compliant fuel upon arriving in the Port of Singapore.

In the first quarter of 2020, MPA reported it conducted a total of 326 Port State Control (PSC) and Flag State Control (FSC) inspections in the Port of Singapore. 

During these inspections, 12 ships which were not fitted with scrubbers, were discovered to be using fuel that marginally exceeded the sulphur limit. 

MPA explains that this was likely due to remnant residues of high-sulphur fuel in the fuel oil tanks and piping.

It expects that in time, the fuel oil tanks and piping will be properly flushed with the continual use of compliant fuel. 

MPA, meanwhile, notes it has informed the respective managers and flag administrations of these ships about the non-compliance.

Additionally, two foreign-registered ships were found to be using non-compliant fuel. They were each issued a PSC detention order, and were only allowed to depart from the Port of Singapore after it was verified that they had switched to using compliant fuel.

In light of Singapore’s prohibition on the discharge of wash water from open-loop scrubbers, MPA adds that no ship installed with an open-loop scrubber was found to be operating its scrubber in the Port of Singapore.

During the first three months of 2020, MPA reports there was no Singapore-registered ship detained by port state authorities for non-compliance with the IMO 2020 regulations. 

Two ships reported the non-availability of compliant fuel, and submitted the required Fuel Oil Non-Availability Report, MPA notes.

Amongst the small number of Singapore-registered ships installed with scrubbers, there were 31 reports of scrubber malfunction as at 29 February 2020.

“As a leading maritime nation, Singapore is committed to reducing the environmental impact of shipping,” said Goh Chung Hun, MPA’s Director of Marine.

“By engaging the industry proactively, providing the necessary technical guidance and maintaining an adequate supply of compliant fuel in Singapore, we have ensured a high degree of compliance with IMO 2020 sulphur regulations. 

“Singapore will continue to play its part to make shipping clean and sustainable.”


Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 28 April, 2020

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Biofuel

China: Chimbusco completes first bonded B24 bunkering operation in Shenzhen

Chimbusco Marine Bunker (Shenzhen) completed the operation after supplying 1,300 mt of B24 marine biofuel oil for “Xin Chi Wan” vessel, at Shekou Container Terminal.
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China: Chimbusco completes first bonded B24 bunkering operation in Shenzhen

Zhuhai Chimbusco Petroleum Co Ltd (Chimbusco Zhuhai), a subsidiary of China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) (Chimbusco), on Monday (6 July) said the company completed its first bunkering operation since receiving its local licence in Shenzhen. 

Chimbusco Marine Bunker (Shenzhen) completed the operation after supplying 1,300 metric tonnes (mt) of B24 marine biofuel oil for the Xin Chi Wan vessel, owned by COSCO Shipping Group, at the Shekou Container Terminal in Shenzhen.

The operation adopted the “cross-customs direct supply bunkering” model with the cooperation of Shenzhen and Gongbei Customs and maritime authorities.

Looking ahead, Chimbusco Marine Bunker (Shenzhen) said it will build on its local licensing and policy advantages to expand its bonded marine fuel bunkering business in Shenzhen.

The company plans to optimise its bunkering processes and improve service quality to help strengthen the city’s bonded marine fuel supply capabilities while supporting the shipping industry’s green transition.

 

Photo credit: Zhuhai Chimbusco Petroleum
Published: 8 July, 2026

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Sanctions

US reinstates Iran oil sanctions, orders wind-down by 17 July

US has revoked a licence permitting the purchase of Iranian crude oil, petrochemical products and petroleum products, with the restrictions taking effect immediately.
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July 8, 2026

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The US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Tuesday (7 July) revoked a licence that had temporarily authorised transactions involving crude oil, petrochemical products and petroleum products of Iranian origin.

Under the new licence, the purchase of Iranian crude oil, petrochemical products and petroleum products is prohibited with immediate effect.

The latest licence replaces an authorisation issued on 22 June, which had been scheduled to remain in force until 21 August. The previous authorisation permitted the bunkering of vessels engaged in the approved transactions.

Parties that entered into contracts for Iranian oil during the period in which the authorisation was in effect have until 17 July to wind down Iran-related transactions.

 

Photo credit: Zbynek Burival on Unsplash
Published: 8 July, 2026

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Legal

Russian court orders marine fuel supplier Transbunker assets transferred to state

A Moscow court has reportedly ordered the transfer of assets belonging to Russian marine fuel supplier Transbunker to state ownership.
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July 8, 2026

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A Moscow court has reportedly ordered the transfer of assets belonging to Russian marine fuel supplier Transbunker to state ownership.

This comes following a lawsuit alleging the company was illegally controlled through offshore corporate structures, according to The Moscow Times. 

The ruling grants the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office’s claims in full and takes immediate effect. Prosecutors argued that Transbunker, one of Russia’s largest marine fuel suppliers, was subject to restrictions on foreign ownership because the companies within the group qualify as strategic enterprises. 

The case targets Transbunker founders Iosif Sandler and Sergei Pugachev, both Cypriot citizens, along with Transbunker Management CEO Yelena Zavyalova. 

Prosecutors alleged the founders concealed control of the group through offshore entities in jurisdictions including Cyprus and the British Virgin Islands, while transferring profits abroad. Authorities claim RUB 19.3 billion (USD 247 million) has been moved out of Russia since 2020.

Founded in 1991, Transbunker has developed a nationwide marine fuel supply network serving Russian ports in the Baltic, Black Sea and Far East. The group owns fuel terminals in Novorossiysk, Vanino, Sakhalin and the Leningrad region, among other assets.

 

Photo credit: Egor Filin on Unsplash
Published: 8 July, 2026

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