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Innovation, decarbonisation and talent the three main priorities of MPA, says CE

While Singapore is facing complexities, many international maritime companies are expressing strong interest in pursuing new business activities in the republic, says Quah Ley Hoon. 
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Innovation, accelerating decarbonisation, and talent are the three main priorities of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), says its Chief Executive.

Quah Ley Hoon was speaking at the 2nd Marine & Offshore Congress 2022 on Tuesday (26 April) when she said while Singapore is facing complexities, the republic was starting from a position of strength with many international maritime companies expressing strong interest in pursuing new business activities there. 

The complexities she outlined were global supply chain disruptions especially following the recent Ukraine war and global port disruptions, global energy transition and accelerating geopolitical shifts. 

As such, she shared that MPA is tackling global challenges faced by the maritime sector. 

Innovation

Quah said the digitalPORT@SGTM initiative launched in 2019 has allowed Singapore to move to paperless and contactless port clearance. 

“We are also actively looking for collaboration opportunities with other ports, to pursue data harmonisation through initiatives such as digitalOCEANSTM,” she said. 

In order to enhance supply chain digitalisation, MPA is also looking at electronic documentation. 

“MPA is actively encouraging the use of electronic bills of lading (eBL) for cross-border trade. The Digital Container Shipping Association estimated that if only half of the container shipping industry adopts eBL solutions, savings could already amount to about US$4 billion annually,” she said. 

“MPA has co-funded 3 industry consortiums to develop and trial eBL solutions serving the wet bulk, dry bulk and container cargo markets, as we recognise that each market segment would have different circumstances and needs. We are also working with international organisations to improve take-up.”

Quah also noted creative Marinetech solutions have also became more mainstream amidst COVID-19. 

“The Marinetech space is showing great promise, with Google Cloud estimating that venture capital funding for Marinetech reached USD $11.3 billion in 2021, doubled from 2020,” she said. 

Quah Ley Hoon was speaking at the 2nd Marine & Offshore Congress 2022

Accelerating Decarbonisation

Quah shared as a top bunkering hub, Singapore is preparing to support the industry’s multifuel transition.

She said MPA is also looking into developing standards for biofuel to accelerate adoption on at wider scale.

“We are also actively looking at other fuels such as methanol and ammonia, forming value-chain ecosystems with industry players. We need to develop standards, infrastructure and supply chains for these cleaner fuels.” 

“The Maritime IAP suggested that like-minded port authorities and operators could create green corridors, to pilot practical pathways and spur momentum towards maritime decarbonisation.”

Talent

Quah expressed hope to see more maritime companies in Singapore’s Best Employer 2022 Study, released by The Straits Times and Statista last week, noting DNV, PSA International and Maersk ranked among the 200 most-attractive employers in Singapore. 

“It would be good for maritime companies to carefully consider their value propositions and attractiveness to employees,” she said. 

She also stressed that it was important to adopt and propagate innovative training methods moving forward and become a hub for training of future maritime talent. 

Quah added MPA and Singapore Maritime Foundation are embarking on Job Redesign Pilot Projects, focusing on key maritime job roles such as vessel operators and technical superintendents for a start.

“We hope this will also attract more people into maritime jobs. Sectors and firms that can stay ahead of the curve in upskilling their workforce and redesigning jobs, would find themselves attracting the lion’s share of talent.”

Quah Ley Hoon was speaking at the 2nd Marine & Offshore Congress 2022

Related: MPA blueprint prepares marine fuels sector for multi-fuel bunkering transition
Related: Singapore: MPA maritime decarbonisation blueprint sets target for bunkering sector
Related: DNV belongs to Singapore’s best employers and tops professional services in survey

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 28 April, 2022

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Legal

Singapore withdraws remaining 127 charges against Hin Leong founder OK Lim

Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges on 17 July.

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RESIZED Sora Shimazaki on Pexels

Founder of collapsed oil trader Hin Leong Trading, Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, has had the remaining 127 charges against him withdrawn, according to The Straits Times on Monday (20 July). 

OK Lim was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges, including those for cheating, on 17 July. The discharge means Lim cannot be prosecuted again for the same offences.

Lim, 84, is currently serving a 13½-year prison sentence after the High Court reduced his original 17½-year jail term in March 2026. He was convicted in 2024 on two cheating charges and one count of abetting forgery in a case prosecutors described as one of Singapore’s most serious trade finance frauds.

Lim was convicted in May 2024 of two charges of cheating the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and one count of abetting forgery that proceeded to trial out of a total of 130 criminal charges.

He was first charged in court on 14 August 2020, and was subsequently handed further charges in court on 25 September 2020, 30 April 2021 and 24 June 2021 for his role in perpetuating fraud on various financial institutions. 

A total of 130 charges were eventually brought against him for cheating and forgery-related offences.

Related: Singapore: Hin Leong Founder OK Lim gets jail term slashed to 13.5 years

 

Photo credit: Sora Shimazaki
Published: 21 July, 2026

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Winding up

Singapore: Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd to be wound up voluntarily

Coastal Logistics was reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

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July 21, 2026

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RESIZED Drew Beamer

Several resolutions for Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd were made during an extraordinary general meeting held on 14 July, according to a notice in the Government Gazette on Friday (4 July).

The following resolutions were duly passed during the meeting:

As Special Resolution

  • That it has been proved to the satisfaction of the meeting that the Company cannot by reason of its liabilities continue its business and accordingly the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 160(1)(b) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 (No. 40 of 2018);

As Ordinary Resolutions

  • that Mr. Wong Pheng Cheong Martin and Ms. Koay May Yee, both care of FTI Consulting (Singapore) Pte Ltd, One Raffles Quay, #27-10 South Tower, Singapore 048583 be appointed as the joint and several Liquidators of the Company for the purpose of such winding up; and
  • that the Liquidators be at liberty to open, maintain and operate any bank account(s) or account(s) for monies received by them as Liquidators with such bank(s) as they deem fit; and
  • that a Committee of Inspection will not be formed.

Manifold Times previously reported Nicholas James Gronow, director of Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping and Coastal Logistics, filed statutory declarations for both companies stating the firms cannot continue their businesses due to liabilities.

Both companies were reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd. 

In 2019, several vessels owned by both firms entered the sale & purchase (S&P) market in Singapore.

Related: Singapore: Director declares Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping’s inability to continue business
Related: Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping in court over DBS Bank bunker tanker loan
Related: Singapore: Bunker tanker “Coastal Neptune” arrested
Related: Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping, Coastal Logistics tankers enter S&P market

 

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
Published: 21 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

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