Legal

“Yangtze Harmony”: The practical effects of enforcing bunkers arbitral awards in Rem

Helmsman says Singapore High Court in The “Yangtze Harmony” [2026] SGHC 3 confirmed that the court can lift a ‘stay’ on in rem proceedings, which were put on hold in favor of arbitration.

Published

2 months ago

June 17, 2026

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Helmsman expands legal services into IP and Technology, Media and Technology

In shipping law, in rem proceedings are unique as a claim may be brought against the ship itself as a separate legal entity rather than the owner personally. This is what allows a ship to be arrested and used as security for such a claim.

Earlier this year, the Singapore High Court in The “Yangtze Harmony” [2026] SGHC 3 clarified an unanswered question: whether the court can lift a “stay” on in rem proceedings – which had earlier been put on hold in favor of arbitration. The court has now confirmed that it can. This means that if a party wins an arbitration, it can return to court and enforce the award as a judgment against the ship or its judicial sale proceeds.

Multi-disciplinary law firm Helmsman LLC focuses on the significance of the “Yangtze Harmony” judgment in enforcing arbitral awards in rem proceedings:

Written by Arjun and Shakthi 1

MT: How are arbitration claims against ships usually enforced in Singapore?

In shipping disputes, it is common for a claimant to start court proceedings against a ship to arrest the ship as security, even though the dispute is to be decided by arbitration. These proceedings are then stayed, pending the arbitration’s conclusion, while the claim remains secured in the form of (a) the arrested ship, or (b) its sale proceeds, or (c) any alternate form of security (such as a bank guarantee or an insurer’s letter of undertaking).

Ordinarily, arbitration awards are enforceable only against the parties named in the award (i.e. in personam). If a shipowner fails to pay, the award holder must enforce the award against the shipowner. The significance of the Yangtze Harmony judgment is that it allows an award holder to enforce the award directly against the ship which it previously arrested. This is crucial for cases against one-ship companies where the ship (or its sale proceeds) may be the only meaningful asset for recovery.

MT: If a ship is sold, where do bunker claims rank in getting paid?

While the decision makes enforcement easier, it does not affect the priority in which sale proceeds are distributed. In Singapore, judicial sale proceeds generally satisfy claims in an order of priorities. Higher ranking claims such as dues, Sheriff costs and secured claims are paid first.

A claim for bunkers supplied for a ship’s operation or maintenance are typically considered a statutory lien claim, which ranks at the bottom of the priorities ladder. Bunker suppliers are only paid from whatever funds remain and they share this equally with other similar claimants. A bunker supplier may not know what other high ranking claims exist until after the vessel is arrested or sold. If those claims are substantial, there may be little or nothing left to satisfy bunker claims.

MT: Can bunker suppliers improve their chances of getting paid?

The court has the power to alter the order of priorities when it is equitable to do so, but it is rare and requires evidence of exceptional circumstances. Ordinarily, a claim for the price of unpaid bunkers would not meet this threshold.

While the Yangtze Harmony brings welcome clarity to allow enforcement of arbitral awards as in rem judgments, this does not guarantee recovery, given the risk of priorities. Bunker suppliers in particular should carefully assess the likelihood of being paid in the event of a judicial sale before taking steps such as arresting a ship.

Photo credit: Helmsman
Published: 17 June, 2026

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HFW strengthens Singapore shipping practice with partner Peter Glover

Glover is an experienced shipping and admiralty lawyer and a qualified Master Mariner, having spent 11 years at sea on oil tankers prior to qualifying as a lawyer.

Published

2 hours ago

August 4, 2026

Admin

HFW strengthens Singapore shipping practice with partner Peter Glover

Law firm HFW on Monday (3 August) said it has further expanded its global shipping practice and continued the growth of its Asia Pacific business with the appointment of Peter Glover as a Partner in Singapore.

Glover, who previously worked at HFW in Melbourne for three years, has rejoined the firm from Reed Smith. Glover is an experienced shipping and admiralty lawyer and a qualified Master Mariner, having spent 11 years at sea on oil tankers prior to qualifying as a lawyer.

His appointment follows a series of recent additions to HFW’s global shipping practice, including ship finance partner Simon Petch in London, shipping disputes Partner Elizabeth Sloane in Australia and Master Mariner Stephen Angove in Greece, as well as the promotion of Senior Master Mariner Paul Miller in London.

This appointment also continues the growth of HFW’s Asia Pacific business and in particular its Singapore office, after the recent hires of financial and trade sanctions Senior Associate Anastasia Magid, construction disputes Partner Simon Bellas, disputes and international arbitration Partner Shaun Leong and Senior Associate Theodore Ang and insurance disputes Legal Director Sinyee Ong.

HFW has added more than 40 new Partners globally since the beginning of FY25 and now has around 190 Partners and more than 700 lawyers across Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and the Americas.

Adam Richardson, Singapore Office Head, HFW: “Shipping and maritime disputes remain central to our Singapore practice, reflecting the city’s role as a hub for international trade and complex cross‑border disputes. Peter’s appointment strengthens our wet and dry shipping litigation capability, and his ability to advise on matters arising at the intersection of shipping and international trade will complement our marketing-leading commodities practice in Singapore.

“Peter is the third partner we have added in Singapore since the beginning of FY26. We remain focused on attracting leading partners and teams as we continue to expand and enhance our client offering in Singapore.”

He regularly advises shipowners, charterers, commodity, energy and trading companies, banks and insurers on complex cross-border litigation and arbitration.

This includes advising on shipping and admiralty matters, international trade and commodities disputes, marine insurance, enforcement of guarantees, civil fraud, and competition and commercial law. He also advises on legal risk management, commercial charterparties and commodities contracts, regulatory compliance, and insurance.

Glover also brings significant experience in high‑profile casualties and crisis situations, advising on the civil, regulatory and criminal aspects of accident response and emergency response management.

He is admitted to practise in England and Wales, Hong Kong and Queensland, Australia.

Peter Glover, Partner, HFW, said: “HFW’s market‑leading capabilities in shipping, trade and crisis management align closely with my practice. Returning to the firm as a partner in Singapore offers an excellent platform to support clients navigating an increasingly complex maritime and regulatory landscape, while leveraging HFW’s global strength across shipping, arbitration, energy and disputes to grow and broaden my practice.”

Photo credit: HFW
Published: 4 August, 2026

Legal

Singapore: Yuantai Fuel Trading sues Wee Tiong for over USD 1.1 million in unreturned vessel deposit

Former bunker fuel supply company entered into a contract in March 2018 with Picon Marine to purchase the vessel “M.T Pacific Ocean” for USD 6.1 million.

Published

4 hours ago

August 4, 2026

Admin

Singapore: Yuantai Fuel Trading sues Wee Tiong for over USD 1.1 million in unreturned vessel deposit

Yuantai Fuel Trading Pte Ltd, currently in compulsory liquidation, on 10 June 2026 filed a legal claim in the High Court of Singapore against Wee Tiong (S) Pte Ltd, seeking the recovery of USD 752,000 (exact: USD 752,288.81) over an alleged breach of contract for an outstanding vessel deposit.

Including accrued interest, the total claim stands at USD 1.17 million (exact: USD 1,170,562.06), according to court documents obtained by Manifold Times.

Background

Yuantai Fuel Trading, formerly a bunker fuel supply company, entered into a contract on March 2018 with Picon Marine Pte Ltd to purchase the vessel M.T Pacific Ocean for USD 6.1 million; Wee Tiong Director Tan Wee Beng was also the sole Director of Picon Marine.

As part of the agreement, Yuantai paid a deposit of USD 4.1 million into Wee Tiong’s bank account, which acted as Picon’s designated account.

However, the vessel was not delivered within the agreed timeframe, leading to a termination agreement in April 2018. Under this agreement, the full deposit was to be refunded to Yuantai without deduction.

Partial Refunds and Outstanding Amount

Wee Tiong made several partial refunds between 2018 and 2020, totalling approximately USD 3.35 million. Despite these payments, a balance of USD 752,288.81 remains outstanding.

Yuantai claims that interest on the unpaid sum, calculated at 5.33% per annum up to June 2026, amounts to an additional USD 418,273.24, bringing the total claim to USD 1,170,562.06.

Legal Claims

Yuantai asserts that Wee Tiong, acting as agent for Picon, breached the vessel contract and the subsequent termination agreement by failing to return the full deposit.

The company also alleges unjust enrichment, as the deposit was paid for a vessel that was never delivered.

On 3 June 2026, Yuantai issued a formal demand for payment, but no further funds have been received. The claim seeks the outstanding deposit, accrued interest, legal costs, and any further orders the court deems appropriate.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 4 August 2026

Winding up

Notice of dividend issued for defunct Singapore bunker supplier Inter-Pacific Petroleum

First and final dividend for admitted preferential claims and unsecured claims of Inter-Pacific Petroleum is payable from 31 July, according to Government Gazette notice.

Published

1 day ago

August 3, 2026

Admin

A notice of dividend for defunct Singapore bunker supplier Inter-Pacific Petroleum Pte Ltd, currently in compulsory liquidation, was published on the Government Gazette on Friday (31 July).

The following are the details of the notice:

Name of Company : Inter-Pacific Petroleum Pte. Ltd. (In Compulsory Liquidation)
Unique Entity No./ Registration No. : 201115209N
Address of Registered Office : c/o 6 Shenton Way, OUE Downtown 2 #33-00, Singapore 068809
Court : The High Court of the Republic of Singapore
Number of Matter : Companies Winding Up No.: HC/CWU 37/2021
Amount per centum : 100 cents per Singapore dollar for admitted preferential claims; 0.21 cents per Singapore dollar for admitted unsecured claims
First and Final or Otherwise : First and final dividend for admitted preferential claims; First and final dividend for admitted unsecured claims
When payable : From 31 July 2026 onwards
Where payable : Dividends will be made by interbank transfer to the nominated bank account submitted by the creditor of the Company

Manifold Times previously reported the Appellate Division of Singapore’s High Court finding a former Director of Inter-Pacific Petroleum (IPP) not liable to pay up to USD 146 million of the company’s total USD 156 million loss.

The decision sets aside an earlier decision by the High Court that found Dr Goh Jin Hian responsible for the company’s financial loss.

The Appellate Division of the High Court found that even though it agreed that Dr Goh had breached his duty of care as a director, IPP has failed to show that his breach caused loss to the company.

Lester Ho, Associate Director of multi-disciplinary law firm Helmsman LLC previously shared his timely key takeaways on the case of Dr Goh v Inter-Pacific Petroleum when the Appellate Division of the High Court in Singapore overturned the High Court’s finding that Mr Goh’s breach had caused IPP to incur the losses.