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Dan-Bunkering trial: Defence lawyer pleads for full acquittal of clients in court

Last day of Dan-Bunkering’s trial over violation of alleged EU Syrian sanctions ends on 1 December; judgement to be made on Tuesday (14 December).

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Disclaimer: An online translation service was used in the production of the current editorial piece, which Manifold Times had reproduction permission from Danish Radio (DR).

On the last day of Dan-Bunkering’s court hearing trial in Odense, defense lawyers representing Bunker Holding and its director on Wednesday (1 December) demanded acquittal against the case of alleged illegal deliveries of jet fuel in Syria, according to DR.

The owner company Bunker Holding and CEO, Keld Demant, through their legal team, said in court that only Dan-Bunkering is responsible for the jet fuel trade.

“It is not Bunker Holding that has sold the fuel, it is the subsidiary. If one’s daughter or son commits something criminal, the parents cannot be held responsible. And so it is here too,” said Bunker Holding’s defender, Henrik B. Sanders.

However, the defendant continued to stress he does not believe Dan-Bunkering has violated the EU sanctions.

“But Bunker Holding must be judged solely for its own role in the case,” he continued.

Dan-Bunkering, a parent company of Bunker Holding and top director Keld Demant, was accused of having participated in eight of the 33 deliveries of jet fuel involved in the case.

The deliveries took place after the Danish Business Authority in December 2016 approached Dan-Bunkering with a suspicion that the company delivered jet fuel to Syria.

‘Follow the money’

But regardless of the Danish Business Authority’s inquiry, all transactions have been the sole responsibility of Dan-Bunkering, states Bunker Holding’s defender.

“As they say in old crime movies: If you are in doubt about what has happened, follow the money. And all purchases and sales have taken place from Dan-Bunkering’s accounts,” said Henrik B. Sanders.

In the due course of trial, Bunker Holding’s role in the jet fuel deliveries in Syria was discussed several times. Among other things, it appeared the owner company approved credits to the Russian customer who received the fuel. But the defence lawyer emphasised Dan-Bunkering was in charge of the transactions.

Dan-Bunkering made the decision as a whole. The owner company Bunker Holding could only advise the subsidiary, said Bunker Holding’s defender.

As such, Henrik B. Sanders pleaded for full acquittal.

“Of course, there has been no intention to violate sanctions,” he said.

On Tuesday (30 November) the prosecutor demanded Bunker Holding be fined DKK 81 million (USD 12.3 million). But even if it ends in a verdict, there is no basis for a fine, said Henrik B. Sanders.

“Bunker Holding has not had any earnings on the trades. They took place in Dan-Bunkering. Therefore, one cannot impose a fine,” he said.

Two years in prison beyond the limit 

Also, the defender of Bunker Holding’s top Director, Keld Demant, on Wednesday (1 December) demanded acquittal in court.

“To demand two years’ imprisonment is completely over,” said defence lawyer Hanne Rahbæk about the prosecutor’s demands for a prison sentence.

Hanne Rahbæk explained Keld Demant, as top director of Bunker Holding, has 66 companies under him, which together carry out 55,000 trades a year.

“How much should you, as top director of an international company, be on target for what is going on two or three steps down? It can have an impact on how vulnerable it is to be a business leader in Denmark,” adds the defence lawyer.

According to Hanne Rahbæk, Keld Demant had no knowledge at all of the eight specific trades in jet fuel, which he is accused of having participated in.

“And since he did not have knowledge of the eight trades, he could not stop them for good reasons,” said Hanne Rahbæk.

Thoroughly researched

The eight transactions were completed after the Danish Business Authority in December 2016 approached Dan-Bunkering on suspicion that the company supplied jet fuel used in Syria.

The inquiry led to an internal investigation in the group. It concluded that there were no problems, and Keld Demant was assured of this, explained the defence lawyer.

According to the prosecution, Keld Demant involved himself in the investigation and thus assumed responsibility. The former director of the subsidiary Dan-Bunkering Henrik Skov Hansen Zederkof explained in court Bunker Holding was responsible for the investigation, and that he was personally told by Keld Demant that he should not take care of it.

The former Dan-Bunkering director also explained in court Bunker Holding made decisions for Dan-Bunkering on both credits and compliance with sanctions. It was not a responsibility Dan-Bunkering himself had, he said from the witness stand.

But that was simply not true, said Keld Demant’s defence lawyer.

“I think it is a slip in his memory,” said Hanne Rahbæk about the former Dan-Bunkering director, who is in charge of another subsidiary of Bunker Holding.

Hanne Rahbæk said Keld Demant’s role as top director is to set out the overall rules. And he has, among other things, ensured the group has a computer system ensuring trade with ships and companies are subject to sanctions.

“I have a hard time seeing how my client should be able to do further,” Hanne Rahbæk said in court.

A decision will be handed down in the case at the court in Odense on Tuesday (14 December).

Note: Earlier Manifold Times coverage regarding Bunker Holding/Dan-Bunkering’s alleged breaches of EU sanctions can be found below:

Related: Dan-Bunkering trial: Court denies request sending case to European Court of Justice
Related: Dan-Bunkering trial: Denmark also bombed Syria, confirms defence counsel
Related: Dan-Bunkering trial: Prosecutors question Bunker Holding CEO Keld Demant
Related: Dan-Bunkering trial: Prosecution examines revealing email to Group Directors
Related: Dan-Bunkering trial: Hearing resumes after accusation of impartiality
RelatedDan-Bunkering trial: Hearing temporarily suspended due to impartiality
Related: Prominent prosecutor to lead spectacular lawsuit against Dan-Bunkering
RelatedBunker Holding:  ‘No signs’ in alleged breach of EU sanctions post internal investigation
Related: Experts: Bunker Holding alleged jet fuel sale significant to outcome of Syrian War
Related: Bunker Holding ‘surprised’ at fuel sale charge; maintains ‘full confidence’ in Group CEO
Related: Danish prosecutor proposes jail sentence for Bunker Holding Group CEO over jet fuel sale
Related: Bunker Holding & Dan Bunkering allegedly charged over EU sanctions violations
Related: Dan Bunkering ‘surprised’ SØIK has pressed charges over alleged EU sanction violations
Related: Dan-Bunkering: Everything has been investigated – the case should be closed
Related: Name ban on parties involved with Dan-Bunkering Syrian jet fuel deal lifted
Related: Dan-Bunkering Middelfart office searched by commercial crimes police
Related: Firm linked to alleged Dan-Bunkering Syrian war activities under sanction
Related: Update: Dan-Bunkering Syria jet fuel supply ops allegedly longer than thought
Related: Dan-Bunkering faces preliminary charges by SOIK with violation of EU Syria sanctions
Related: Investigations on Dan-Bunkering over alleged Syrian jet fuel deal start
Related: Danske Bank casts doubts on Dan-Bunkering reason for Syria investigation
Related: Danske Bank reported Dan-Bunkering to police in EU sanctions case
Related: Bunker company acknowledges flawed statement in EU sanctions case
Related: Unioil Supply dragged into Dan-Bunkering sanctions allegations
Related: Dan-Bunkering has not violated EU’s sanctions against Syria, it insists
Related: Nordea highlights stance on compliance after Dan-Bunkering discovery
Related: Danish media alleges Dan-Bunkering jet fuel deliveries during Syria war

 

Photo credit: Tingey Injury Law Firm from Unsplash
Source: DR
Published: 3 December, 2021

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Winding up

Singapore: High Court to hear Norvic Shipping Asia winding up application on 31 July

Application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to Government Gazette notice.

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RESIZED singapore high court

An application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to a Tuesday (21 July) notice on the Government Gazette.

It noted the winding up application is directed to be heard before the Judge sitting in the General Division of the High Court at 10am on 31 July.

Any creditor or contributory of the company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the winding up application may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose.

A copy of the winding up application will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the company requiring the copy of the winding up application by the solicitors of the applicant’s, Oon & Bazul LLC, on payment of the regulated charge for the same.

The Applicant’s address is Hiridostraat 5, Gebouw Prismatrium, 1101CW Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The Applicant’s solicitors are Oon & Bazul LLC of 103 Penang Rd, #04-04/05/06 Singapore 238467. 

Queries on the winding up application may be directed to the following email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected].

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.

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World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

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HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

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