Business

Singapore: Three bunker clerks charged in connection to Shell MGO bunker heist

Wong Wai Meng, Wong Kuin Wah, and Boo Pu Wen faced charges in court for allegedly committing offences under the CDSA and Prevention of Corruption Act.

Published

2 years ago

October 6, 2022

Admin

The Singapore Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) on Thursday (6 October) published a press release notifying three former bunker clerks, previously employed by Sentek Marine & Trading Pte Ltd , were charged in court for allegedly committing offences under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act (CDSA) and the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) between 2014 and 2021.

The following is an extract of the press release by CPIB on the offences:

On 6 October 2022, three bunker clerks, previously employed by Sentek Marine & Trading Pte Ltd (Sentek), will be charged in Court for offences under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act (CDSA) and the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA). They are:

Wong Wai Meng (Wai Meng) (王偉明, 56-year-old male Singaporean);
Wong Kuin Wah (Kuin Wah) (王建華, 59-year-old male Singaporean); and
Boo Pu Wen (Pu Wen) (巫普文, 55-year-old male Singaporean).

Alleged Offences under the CDSA

It is alleged that Wai Meng, Kuin Wah and Pu Wen intentionally aided Sentek in acquiring property which was another person’s benefits from criminal conduct, by assisting to receive on board their respective vessels, gasoil which had been dishonestly misappropriated from Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd’s facility (“Shell Pulau Bukom”). They will be charged for offences under Section 47(3) of the CDSA, read with Section 109 of the Penal Code, and punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA. Specifically:

Wai Meng will face 31 charges, involving alleged offending between August 2014 to December 2017 and gasoil with a total value of about S$19,055,062.83;
Kuin Wah will face 28 charges, involving alleged offending between August 2014 to January 2018 and gasoil with a total value of about S$18,663,600.77;
Pu Wen will face seven charges, involving alleged offending between June 2017 to January 2018 and gasoil with a total value of about S$5,502,505.58.

Alleged Corruption Offences

Further, between February 2018 and January 2021, Wai Meng, Kuin Wah and Pu Wen allegedly received gratification from Pai Keng Pheng (Pai), the former Managing Director of Sentek, as an inducement to remain out of Singapore in order to avoid investigations by the Singapore Police Force into the suspected involvement of Sentek and others, in the receipt of misappropriated gasoil from Shell Pulau Bukom.

Each bunker clerk will be charged with 12 charges under Section 5(a)(i) of the PCA. It is alleged that Wai Meng had corruptly received a sum totalling S$259,420 over 69 occasions while Pu Wen and Kuin Wah had corruptly received sums totalling S$286,040 and S$294,080 respectively from Pai over 71 occasions. These bribes were allegedly given to them through various intermediaries, either in Singapore or Batam, Indonesia.

Pai himself faces 42 charges of consenting to Sentek’s acquiring of property which was another person’s benefits from criminal conduct under Section 47(3) read with Section 59(1)(a) of the CDSA. He also faces charges for corruption and obstructing the course of justice. His case is still before the Court.

Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption. Any person who is convicted of a corruption offence can be fined up to S$100,000, sentenced to imprisonment of up to five years, or both. Any individual convicted of an offence under Section 47(3) of the CDSA is liable to a fine of up to S$500,000, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 7 October, 2022

LNG Bunkering

Singapore: MPA launches EOI to expand LNG bunkering services amid growing demand

MPA is seeking proposals to explore scalable solutions for sea-based LNG reloading to complement existing onshore LNG bunkering storage and jetty capacities and e/bio-methane supply as a marine fuel.

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2024

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) to explore scalable solutions for sea-based liquefied natural gas (LNG) reloading to complement the existing onshore LNG bunkering storage and jetty capacities and the supply of e/bio-methane as marine fuel in the Port of Singapore.

MPA said LNG bunkering in Singapore has grown from 16,000 tonnes delivered in 2022 to over 385,000 tonnes delivered from January to October 2024.

According to the EOI, demand for LNG bunkering is expected to grow further with a growing global fleet of LNG dual-fuelled vessels and competitive LNG bunker prices.

“The EOI seeks to gather proposals on three areas: to scale up sea-based reloading operations, including ship-to-bunker barge LNG operations; to facilitate the supply of LNG alternatives such as liquefied bio-methane; and to develop floating platform concepts to enhance bunkering safety and efficiency,” MPA added.

“The EOI proposals should also include mitigation measures to address the issue of methane slip on a well-to-wake basis.”

Participants in the EOI do not need to be an existing LNG bunkering licensee. Participants are required to propose models for operationalising sea-based LNG reloading starting from 2025. Participants selected will be required to conduct trials in Singapore to validate the proposed solution’s operational feasibility and safety.

“Insights gained from the EOI and trials will inform MPA’s review of the LNG licensing framework, including enhancements to supply to better serve the industry’s bunkering needs,” it said.

Note: Interested parties can visit the MPA website for details and submission guidelines. Proposals must be submitted by 28 February 2025, 1pm (Singapore time).

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 13 December, 2024

Events

Malaysia: 12th PorTech Asia Summit to bring together leaders in port industry

Event, which will be held on 9 to 10 January, will tackle important topics in the port industry including challenges and opportunities for Asian Port Industry as well as sustainable green development of ports.

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2024

Admin

Malaysia: 12th PorTech Asia Summit to bring together leaders in port industry

The 12th PorTech Asia Summit is now just one month away, with doors opening at Berjaya Times Square Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 9 to 10 of January.

The summit is organised and hosted by Shine Consultant and co-organised by ASEAN Ports Association (APA).

Themed Smart, Green, Multi-win, the summit will gather leaders and experts in the field of port technology around the world to discuss and promote the innovation and development of the port industry in the digital era.

Some speakers who were invited to share their unique insights and valuable experiences in their respective fields include:

Dato' Monaliza Binti Suhaimi, General Manager, Johor Port Authority
YBhg. Dato' Dr. Vijayaindiaran A/LR.Viswalingam, General Manager, Penang Port Commission
Uematsu Hisataka, President, Port of Yokohama, Japan
Vineet Mahajan, Vice President & Head of Sustainability, DP World APAC
Liu Chang Man, Vice President, Shanghai International Port (Group) Co., Ltd
Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman, Mumbai Port Authority and Deendayal Port Authority
Mazlim Bin Husin, Chief Commercial Officer, Kuantan Port
Mohd Khairul Azizat Johari, Head of Facility Management, Johor Port Berhad, Malaysia
Budi Cahyono, Vice President Director, PT Jakarta International Container Terminal
Eun-kyoung Park, General Manager, Overseas Business Department, Busan Port Authority
Ivan Fantin, Vice President, Chief Lean Officer, APM Terminals, Maersk
Desmond Ong, Chief Digital Officer, Jurong Port, Singapore

Agenda

Day 1: 9 January

Session 1: Challenges and Opportunities for Asian Port Industry

Session 2: Blending Old and New: Port Construction and Upgrade Projects

Day 2: 10 January

Session 3 Forum: Efficiency Improvement and Business Innovation Driven by Digital Intelligence

Session 4 Forum: Green & Safety - Building Sustainable Development Capacity of Ports

Shine Consultant is inviting representatives from government and port authorities, industry associations, port terminal owners, digital solution providers, port machinery and equipment suppliers, research institutions, professional service organizations, and other relevant institutions to attend the summit.

Participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas with industry leaders and jointly explore the future trends and innovative pathways of the port industry.

Interested parties may contact:

Jenny Wu
Tel: (86 21) 6095 7179
E-mail: [email protected]
Company: Shine Consultant International Ltd.

Or scan QR code to register. Interested parties may also register here.

qr code portech

Photo credit: Shine Consultant
Published: 13 December, 2024

LNG Bunkering

Wärtsilä wins LNG systems order for Vitol bunkering newbuild vessel

Firm will supply cargo Handling and Fuel Gas Supply systems for a new 12,500 m3 LNG bunkering vessel currently being built at Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering shipyard in China.

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2024

Admin

Wärtsilä wins LNG systems order for Vitol bunkering newbuild vessel

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, part of technology group Wärtsilä, on Friday (13 December) said it has won a contract to supply Cargo Handling and Fuel Gas Supply systems for a new 12,500 m3 LNG bunkering vessel.

The vessel is being built at the Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering shipyard in China, for global energy company Vitol.

“Wärtsilä’s ability to engineer, design and deliver a complete system, including the Boil-Off Gas (BOG) management, integrated fuel supply, custody transfer and bunkering transfer systems, was central to the contract award,” Wärtsilä said, adding the order was booked by the company in Q4, 2024.

Richie Zhu, Sales Manager, Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, China, said: “LNG is today an important marine fuel and is rapidly becoming the preferred choice for owners and operators seeking more sustainable fuel options. The market for LNG bunkering vessels is increasing in line with this trend, and we have established a leading position in supplying modern and reliable systems that optimise overall cargo handling efficiency for such vessels.”

Manifold Times previously reported Vitol securing three LNG Bunkering Vessels (LNGBV) through its shipping company, Vitol International Shipping Pte Ltd (VIS).

The vessels were secured via a seven to ten year time charter agreement with Avenir LNG Limited (Avenir) and an order for two vessels at the CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co. Ltd shipyard in Nantong, China.

The time charter agreement with Avenir is for one newbuild 20,000 m3 LNGBV. The time charter will commence at delivery from the shipyard in China in Q4 2026 and will serve a period of seven years with options to extend up to ten years in total.

Vitol also ordered one 12,500 m3 and one 20,000 m3 LNGBV at the CIMC SOE shipyard in China. The vessels will be delivered in Q4 2026 and Q3 2027 respectively.

Photo credit: Wärtsilä
Published: 13 December, 2024