Unlicensed Singapore Bunker Supplier Pleads Guilty to Charges Brought by MPA

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Wednesday August 26, 2015

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) today says it has charged JL Petroleum Pte Ltd (JL Petroleum) for supplying bunkers in the Port of Singapore without a valid MPA issued bunker supplier licence.

JL Petroleum pleaded guilty to the charges in court on August 18, 2015.

The unlicensed supplier was said to have supplied bunkers on 14 occasions between 2 and 25 June 2013 using Bunker Delivery Notes belonging to Excel Petroleum Enterprise Pte Ltd (Excel Petroleum Enterprise).

Excel Petroleum Enterprise had their licence cancelled over the matter in January 2014.

"The bunkering industry is an important and integral part of the Port of Singapore. All bunker suppliers operating in the Port of Singapore must be licensed by MPA, and all licensees must adhere strictly to the terms and conditions of the licence," MPA said.

"Any licensee found to have contravened any terms and conditions will have his licence suspended or cancelled. MPA adopts a zero tolerance approach towards bunkering malpractices and will not hesitate to take action against any unlicensed entity operating in the Port of Singapore.

"All licensed bunker craft operators are advised to refrain from delivering bunkers on behalf of any person, firm or company that is not a bunker supplier licensed by MPA."

Earlier this month new player AC Oil Pte Ltd (AC Oil) entered the Singapore market, but the total number of suppliers dropped to 59 with the departures of Lukoil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, and Raffles Bunkering Pte Ltd.