Crime

Singaporean, accomplice and three related firms charged over DPRK gasoil shipment

Singaporean Kwek Kee Seng, who had a USD 5 million bounty offered by the US government, was charged in court for alleged involvement in the shipment of gasoil, a prohibited export item, to DPRK.

Published

1 year ago

December 26, 2023

Admin

The Singapore Police Force on Thursday (21 December) said Singaporean Kwek Kee Seng, who had a USD 5 million bounty offered by the US government, was charged in court for alleged involvement in the shipment of gasoil, a prohibited export item, to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), in contravention of the United Nations (Sanctions – DPRK) Regulations 2010.

Kwek’s accomplice Justin Low Eng Yeow and three companies related to them were also charged for their involvement in shipment.

Charges relating to the supply of prohibited export item to the DPRK, related financial transactions and falsification of documents

Investigations by the Commercial Affairs Department revealed that Kwek had allegedly conspired with five other individuals based overseas to supply gasoil to the DPRK from September to November 2019 using the vessel MT Courageous, an oil tanker, via ship-to-ship transfers on six occasions and at the Nampo Port, DPRK on the last occasion. The gasoil supplied amounted to approximately 12,260 metric tons. Arising from this, Kwek was charged with seven counts under Regulation 5(a) read with Regulation 16(1) of the United Nations (Sanctions – DPRK) Regulations 2010.

Kwek also allegedly used the bank account of a company he had control of to receive and make payments in relation to the abovementioned offences. He transferred funds on four occasions for the purchase of gasoil which were eventually supplied to the DPRK. Kwek, who was the majority shareholder and director of the company, also allegedly falsified documents belonging to the company on two occasions. Arising from this, the company was charged for four counts under Regulation 12(1)(b) read with Regulation 16(1) of the United Nations (Sanctions – DPRK) Regulations 2010, while Kwek was charged with two counts under Section 477A of the Penal Code.

In addition, Kwek also allegedly used another company on five occasions to receive payment for the prohibited supply of gasoil to the DPRK, in contravention of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act (Cap 65A, 2000 Rev Ed) (“CDSA"). Arising from this, this other company was charged with five counts under Section 47(3) of the CDSA, while Kwek was charged with five counts under Section 47(3) read with Section 59 of the CDSA.

Arising from this, Low and his company were each charged with nine counts under Regulation 12(1)(b) read with Regulation 16(1) of the United Nations (Sanctions – DPRK) Regulations 2010.

Charges relating to obstruction of justice and failure to report

Kwek also faces two charges in connection with obstructing the course of justice. He allegedly lied to the investigation officer and disposed of a phone which contained evidence pertaining to his involvement in the prohibited supply of gasoil to the DPRK. He also allegedly failed to inform the Police about the prohibited supply of gasoil to the DPRK by another vessel, MT Viet Tin 01, in February 2019. Arising from this, Kwek was charged with two counts under Section 204A(b) of the Penal Code and one count under Regulation 14(1)(c) read with Regulation 16(1) of the United Nations (Sanctions – DPRK) Regulations 2010

If convicted, an individual faces:

For each charge under the United Nations Act, an imprisonment term of up to 10 years, a fine or both
For each charge under Section 204A of the Penal Code, an imprisonment term of up to seven years, a fine or both;
For each charge under Section 477A of the Penal Code, an imprisonment term of up to 10 years, a fine or both
For each charge under Section 47(3) of the CDSA, an imprisonment term of up to 10 years, a fine or both.

In the case of a corporate entity, offenders can be given a fine not exceeding $1 million if convicted for each charge under the United Nations Act and Section 47(3) of the CDSA.

The United Nations (Sanctions – DPRK) Regulations 2010 of the United Nations Act give effect to sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council on DPRK to curb the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Singapore takes its obligations under the United Nations Security Council Resolutions seriously and implements them fully and faithfully. We will not hesitate to take action against any individual or entity that breaches our laws and regulations.

Manifold Times previously reported the U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program, which is administered by the Diplomatic Security Service, posting a notice, offering a reward of up to USD 5 million for information about Kwek.

Photo credit: U.S. Department of State
Published: 26 December, 2023

Legal

Dutch crew members plead guilty over their role in major 2024 Singapore bunker spill

Merijn Heidema, Eric Peijpers, Martin Hans Sinke, and Richard Ouwehand, who are crewmen of dredger “Vox Maxima”, pleaded guilty for failing to discharge their duties properly at the State Courts on 12 March.

Published

2 weeks ago

March 13, 2025

Admin

Four Dutch crew members of Netherlands-flagged dredger Vox Maxima, which crashed into a Singapore-flagged bunker vessel in 2024 and caused a major bunker spill in Singapore, on Wednesday (12 March) pleaded guilty for failing to discharge their duties properly, according to media reports.

Merijn Heidema, 26, Eric Peijpers, 56, Martin Hans Sinke, 48, and Richard Ouwehand, 49, pleaded guilty to one charge each under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 at the State Courts.

Singapore-flagged bunker vessel Marine Honour was hit by Vox Maxima at Pasir Panjang Terminal on 14 June last year, which resulted in an oil spill in Singapore waters.

The crash caused one of Marine Honour’s oil cargo tanks to rupture, releasing 400 metric tonnes (mt) of low-sulphur fuel oil into the sea.

The dredger lost propulsion and steering control before crashing into Marine Honour.

Court documents reportedly revealed that on the morning of 14 June 2024, a circuit breaker controlling the flow of electrical power from one of the dredger’s main generators to a step-down transformer was opened for maintenance works to be conducted.

The circuit breaker remained open after the maintenance works were completed that morning.

Peijpers, a second engineer, and Heidema, a third engineer, who were the officers in charge of the engineering watch at the time, did not check the condition of the circuit breakers.

This eventually led to another circuit breaker tripping, which then led to the loss of steering and propulsion control of the dredger.

Heidema and Peijpers also failed to ensure a sufficient reserve of power was available for Vox Maxima’s steering gear when the engine room was put in a standby condition.

Upon the loss of steering control, both Ouwehand and Sinke, who were responsible to carry out emergency steering, did not do so.

The prosecution sought fines of between SGD 40,000 and SGD 50,000 each for Heidema and Peijpers and fines between SGD 20,000 and SGD 30,000 each for Ouwehand and Sinke.

The four Dutch crew members are expected to be sentenced on 2 April.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 13 March, 2025

Legal

Shell MGO bunker heist: Man sentenced to jail for hindering police investigations

Wong Wai Seng was reportedly sentenced to two months’ jail for lying to police on the whereabouts of three bunker clerks involved in the heist and relaying instructions for them to stay out of Singapore.

Published

2 months ago

February 3, 2025

Admin

A man, who was an operations executive with Singapore-based Sentek Marine & Trading (Sentek), was sentenced to two months’ jail on Friday (31 January), according to CNA.

Wong Wai Seng lied to police about the whereabouts of three bunker clerks involved in the Shell Pulau Bukom fuel heist.

Wong pleaded guilty to one charge of perverting the course of justice while four charges of abetting corruption by giving the bunker clerks bribes to remain outside of Singapore and avoid investigations were considered in sentencing.

Manifold Times previously reported three bunker clerks, previously employed by Sentek, being 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 were Singaporeans Wong Kuin Wah, Wong Wai Meng, and Boo Pu Wen.

It was 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 were 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.

CNA reported that Wai Seng relayed instructions from Sentek’s managing director Pai Keng Pheng to the bunker clerks including instructing them to leave Singapore in January 2018. This resulted in Wai Meng, who is Wai Seng’s brother, leaving for Medan.

Wong also told Boo and Wong Kuin Wah who were on board different Sentek vessels, to not return to shore.

On Pai's instructions, Wong also told the bunker clerks to throw away their work phones, which contained messages relating to the fuel heist.

The trio remained in hiding at D'Merlion Hotel in Batam for almost three years until January 2021, when they returned to Singapore and were arrested.

Wong Wai Meng was sentenced to seven years, four months and two weeks’ jail for helping the company acquire more than 28,000 metric tonnes (mt) of the misappropriated fuel worth USD 13.58 million (SGD 18.26 million)

Meanwhile, Wong Kuin Wah was sentenced to seven years and six months’ jail on 18 November for his role in misappropriating more than 27,000 tonnes of gas oil worth around USD 12.8 million (SGD 17.2 million).

The third individual who was charged, Boo Pu Wen, reportedly passed away in July 2023 and had his charges abated following his death, meaning Boo’s court proceedings over his 19 charges at the time came to an end.

Former Shell employees, who were key members of a group who dishonestly misappropriated fuel from Shell Pulau Bukom, were sentenced to jail in court earlier.

Earlier coverage of developments by Manifold Times regarding the Shell MGO bunker heist can be found below:

Photo credit: Sora Shimazaki
Published: 3 February, 2025

Bunker Fuel

MPA: Sentek Marine & Trading bunkering licenses to expire on 3 February

Sentek will cease to be licensed from 3 February 2025 at 4pm and must not continue to operate as a bunker supplier and bunker craft operator within the Singapore Port, says MPA.

Published

2 months ago

January 21, 2025

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Monday (20 January) said the bunker supplier and bunker craft operator licences of Sentek Marine & Trading Pte Ltd (Sentek) will expire at 4pm on 3 February 2025.

“From 3 February 2025, 4pm, Sentek Marine & Trading Pte Ltd will cease to be licensed and must not continue to operate as a bunker supplier and/or bunker craft operator within the Singapore Port,” MPA said in Port Marine Circular No 2 of 2025.

On 4 September 2024, MPA initially said it would not be renewing the bunkering licences of Sentek, which would expire on 17 September and the company would cease to be licensed on and from 18 September.

However, later, MPA announced it has extended the bunkering licences of Sentek for a limited amount of time, “pending the final disposal of the appeals” by the company.

In late August last year, Manifold Times reported the General Division of the High Court dismissing an application from Sentek to quash MPA’s refusal to renew its bunker supplier and bunker craft operator licenses.

At the time, a Sentek representative told Manifold Times it was planning to appeal the High Court decision.

MPA also reminded all bunker licensees, including bunker suppliers and bunker craft operators, to comply strictly with all the terms and conditions of the respective bunker licence(s).

“MPA will not hesitate to take firm action against any licensee that contravenes any of its bunker licence terms and conditions, including taking into account such contraventions in considering whether to renew the bunker licence(s), suspending or cancelling the bunker licence(s), and/or taking enforcement action against any such bunker licensee,” it said.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 21 January, 2025

Ofiniti acquires Singapore-based Angsana Technology to advance digital bunkering solutions

Digital platform2 weeks ago

Ofiniti acquires Singapore-based Angsana Technology to advance digital bunkering solutions

Singapore-based PIL names fourth 14,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel boxship in China

Newbuilding2 weeks ago

Singapore-based PIL names fourth 14,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel boxship in China

Legal2 weeks ago

Dutch crew members plead guilty over their role in major 2024 Singapore bunker spill

Verde Marine Energy begins VLSFO bunker fuel supply operations in ARA

VLSFO2 weeks ago

Verde Marine Energy begins VLSFO bunker fuel supply operations in ARA

Legal2 weeks ago

UK police arrest man on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter over North Sea allision

Bunker Fuel2 weeks ago

China: Zhejiang FTZ sets new record of largest single bunkering volume of bonded fuel oil

EPS, DongHwa Entec partner on compressor installation for new LNG-fuelled boxship

Alternative Fuels2 weeks ago

EPS, DongHwa Entec partner on compressor installation for new LNG-fuelled boxship

Alternative Fuels6 days ago

Singapore: MPA issues circular on resolutions adopted at IMO MSC 109

Manifold Times

Singaporean, accomplice and three related firms charged over DPRK gasoil shipment

Crime

Singaporean, accomplice and three related firms charged over DPRK gasoil shipment

Legal

Dutch crew members plead guilty over their role in major 2024 Singapore bunker spill

Legal

Shell MGO bunker heist: Man sentenced to jail for hindering police investigations

Bunker Fuel

MPA: Sentek Marine & Trading bunkering licenses to expire on 3 February

OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS

SMW 2025: Singapore to launch new standard for electric harbour craft this week

TFG Marine welcomes first of four ‘L’ series IMO type II bunkering tankers of Consort Bunkers

US OFAC sanctions first Chinese teapot refinery and oil tankers over Iranian links

RINA awards Type Approval to VINSSEN for maritime fuel cell stack

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding receives orders for three methanol-fuelled RoRo ships

Nova Offshore integrates with Bunker One physical operations in Uruguay

DNV: Methane slip measurements to reduce reported GHG emissions

Ofiniti acquires Singapore-based Angsana Technology to advance digital bunkering solutions

Singapore-based PIL names fourth 14,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel boxship in China

Dutch crew members plead guilty over their role in major 2024 Singapore bunker spill

Verde Marine Energy begins VLSFO bunker fuel supply operations in ARA

UK police arrest man on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter over North Sea allision

China: Zhejiang FTZ sets new record of largest single bunkering volume of bonded fuel oil

EPS, DongHwa Entec partner on compressor installation for new LNG-fuelled boxship

Trending