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Malaysia: MASA appeals to Minister of Transport to ‘refine and reconsider’ ban on single hull tankers

‘Therefore, representing the players of the Malaysian bunker industry, we sincerely hope that this matter can be refined and reconsidered immediately so that all parties benefit together,’ says communication.
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Editor’s note: The following article is based on an official Malaysia Shipowners’ Association letter which was written in Malay. Its authenticity has been verified by a senior member of MASA, and the content has been translated by Malay native speakers.

The Malaysia Shipowners’ Association (MASA) on Thursday (12 November) submitted a letter to Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong, the Malaysia Minister of Transport, asking him to reconsider a ban on single hull tankers which has negatively affected the local bunkering sector, according to a communication obtained by Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.

The Marine Department of Malaysia (JLM) on 5 August issued a notice (MSN 16/2020) to the maritime industry clarifying restrictions and the types of oil permitted to be carried as cargo by Malaysia register oil tankers.

The above development lead to MASA sending the Minister of Transport a letter on 21 August to express the worries and concerns of bunker industry players on the short-term impact on the implementation of MSN 16/2020.

The Ministry of Transport held a meeting between MASA and JLM on 7 September to discuss issues, barriers and proposed options for the bunker industry before MSN 16/2020 will be implemented throughout the industry as a whole.

The various proposals for single hull oil tankers and bunker tankers were as follows:

Single Hull, Single Bottom vessel

  • Allow ships to operate until 31 December 2021 (about 1 year from now), provided the ship is properly inspected by classification bodies.

Single Hull, Double Bottom vessel

  • Allow ships not older than 30 years to operate until 31 December 2023 (approximately 3 years from now); or anywhere before.

To date, MASA has not received any permanent decision or follow-up action regarding the proposals, said Dato’ Ir. Abdul Hak Md Amin, Chairman of MASA, in the letter.

“On 6 November 2020, we were informed by MASA members that they had received a letter from JLM to allow shipping companies that had previously been exempted to be allowed to operate as usual to carry ‘Heavy Grade Oil’ in Malaysian waters until according to the date that has been approved. The permission has given light and hope to the shipping company to continue operating to supply bunker oil. As a result of the authorisation, shipping companies have made further plans for the continuation of their business activities by signing several bunker oil supply contracts with several companies for the coming months,” he added.

“However, just a day after the letter was issued, they were shocked to learn that the permission given had been postponed until a date to be announced later. As a result of the delay, it has resulted in them not being able to fulfill the agreed contract and this failure could result in their company being sued or fined. The reputation of their company as an oil supplier will be affected. It also seems there is no ruling in a decision and this has caused the bunker industry to continue to be in a state of dilemma and uncertainty where it has already been affected by the recession and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Therefore, representing the players of the Malaysian bunker industry, we sincerely hope that this matter can be refined and reconsidered immediately so that all parties benefit together. We really appreciate all the attention and cooperation of Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri in this matter. MASA will continue to provide strong support to the Ministry in efforts to strengthen the maritime industry in the country.

“Finally, on this occasion, we would like to thank the Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri and the MOT staff, especially in the maritime sector who have worked hard to provide the best service in the country when the pandemic disaster struck which is worrying indeed.”

 

Photo credit: mkjr
Published: 17 November, 2020

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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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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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July 21, 2026

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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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