Taiwanese businessman Chen Shih-hsien, who runs Billions Bunker Group, has reportedly been charged at the Taiwan High Court (Kaohsiung Branch) on Thursday in connection to illegal sales of marine fuel to a North Korean vessel in 2017.
The court found Chen guilty of falsely declaring the route for Lighthouse Winmore, a Hong Kong-registered oil tanker chartered by the Billions Bunker Group.
He said the vessel was travelling to Hong Kong, when it actually sailed to international waters to engage in a ship-to-ship (STS) operation to transfer 600 metric tonnes (mt) of bunkers to North Korean vessel Sam Jong 2.
“Chen was well aware that the oil he purchased was being shipped to international waters for sale … and made four false declarations last year,” a statement from the court said, as quoted by Reuters.
Chen, meanwhile, is out on bail and barred from leaving Taiwan.
He told the court he was unaware the oil was being delivered to a North Korean vessel, and noted that the business transactions were conducted through a Chinese middleman and he has been “framed” by China.
In January, the Taiwanese government froze bank accounts of Chen’s companies and announced a ban on all business dealings with him after discovery of the illegal STS operation.
The corporate registry of the Marshall Islands later de-registered the Billions Bunker Group after learning of the development.
Oil tankers related to the Billions Bunker Group, namely Kings Way and Twins Bull, were denied entry at Kaohsiung Port in Taiwan during the same month.
Related: Bunker fuel involved in sanctioned North Korea trade
Related: Taiwan-based Billions Bunker Group de-registered
Related: Billions Bunker Group registered tankers denied port entry
Published: 6 July, 2018
Creditors to send it in their names and addresses, with particulars of their debts and claims, to the Liquidator on or before 25 July 2022, according to notice.
The similar vessel was also detained by authorities about a year ago over 120,000 litres of diesel oil.
Charges allege Sentek illegally received 118,131 mt of MGO, valued over USD 56 million, from Shell Pulau Bukom between August 2014 and January 2018.
Several liquidators were appointed for the company at an extraordinary general meeting held on Friday (9 September), according to the Government Gazette.
Disagreement ‘particularly in light of the language’, says Utah Retirement Systems in court document.
Lars Moller will be on trial to defend against claims of alleged fraud worth over $132.5 million at a Danish court.
‘Bunker barges operate in very local areas so these vessels call at port very often which means it will be a good fit for women with families,’ states Elpi Petraki, President of WISTA International.
“Our Singapore branch is under preparation and is expected to start business at the republic before June 2023,” Managing Director Darcy Wong tells bunkering publication Manifold Times in an interview.
Development to supply B35 biodiesel blend officially takes effect on 1 February; local bunker suppliers will be able to deliver updated spec within March onwards, once current stocks of B30 avails run out.
VPS, Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation, Wilhelmsen Ship Management, and INTERTANKO executives offered a multitude of perspectives to 73 attendees during the VPS Biofuels Seminar, reports Manifold Times.
Headway will launch a new fuel supply system suitable for alternative bunker fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia; to focus on procurement and construction of carbon capture systems in 2023 following R&D.
Competition for FAME from aviation and road transportation sectors have resulted in some shipowners resorting to adopt more readily available CNSL blends as biofuel for vessels, explains Steve Bee.
