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Singapore: Contactless bunkering protocol breach may lead to regulatory action and tort of negligence claims

Associate Director at Helmsman highlights the need to stay up-to-date with latest protocols / measures introduced by MPA, with continuous education of Master and crew of the visiting vessel.
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Manifold Times Bunkering Vessels

The following article on legal responsibility during contactless bunkering operations at Singapore port amidst the Covid-19 pandemic has been written by Jonathan Tan 陈勇仁, Associate Director at Singapore-based specialist international shipping and commodity trading law firm Helmsman LLC; the write-up was made possible through an arrangement led by the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA):

In January 2021, a cluster of COVID-19 cases linked to a bunker tanker NewOcean 6 was reported to have formed, with 10 crew members onboard having tested positive for the virus (as at 5 January 2021).

Since the NewOcean 6 cluster, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has introduced a slew of safety protocols designed to combat the spread of COVID-19. Amongst others, shipowners, agents and masters of vessels must ensure that all operations (including bunkering) are carried out ‘contactless’ or ‘contactless with segregation protocol’. Shore-based personnel (which would include bunker surveyors) who board visiting vessels must be on a 7-day Rostered Routine Testing (RRT) programme and must take an Antigen Rapid Test (ART) after disembarking. In addition, for bunkering operations, the shipowner, master or agent of visiting vessels and service providers involved must minimally ensure the following:

  • Bunker barge crew must not board the visiting vessel;
  • Visiting vessel’s crew must not board the bunker barge;
  • Communicate and/or send documents (e.g. bunker delivery note) by telephone text or email;
  • Visiting vessel’s crew to connect the hose at the vessel’s manifold; and
  • Bunker surveyor must not board the bunker barge.
  • Note: See MPA’s Port Marine Circular No. 31 of 2021 dated 14 July 2021

Shipowners and their local shipping agents need to stay up-to-date with the latest protocols / measures introduced by MPA, which are updated from time to time in light of the evolving COVID-19 situation, and continuously educate the Master and the crew of the visiting vessel.

These protocols are important – they minimise interaction between the visiting vessel’s crew, the bunker barge and bunker surveyor during the bunkering process. As MPA has stated in Port Marine Circular No. 31 of 2021, non-compliance may result in (a) a breach of the MPA (Port) Regulations or the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020; and (b) in the case of bunker suppliers, bunker craft operators and bunker surveyors, a breach of MPA’s licensing conditions.

Assuming that a crew member of the visiting vessel / bunker barge is infected with COVID-19 (and it can be proven that the virus was transmitted during the bunkering process), shipowners and bunker barge operators should, as a starting point, investigate whether the protocols laid down by MPA have been complied with. Under MPA’s protocols, the bunker surveyor boards the visiting vessel, and not the bunker barge; so the main contact point and risk of transmission appears to be between the crew of the visiting vessel and the bunker surveyor or vice versa.

MPA’s protocols arguably suggest that there is a duty of care (and a minimum standard of care) required from each of the various participants in the bunkering process. Therefore, if the protocols have been breached resulting in transmission of the COVID-19 virus, this may potentially lead to a claim in the tort of negligence against the non-compliant party by the affected party. Such a claim would be in addition to any regulatory action which may be taken by MPA against the non-compliant party. If the protocols had been duly observed in the bunkering process, it may be more difficult to argue that someone was at fault / negligent for the COVID-19 transmission; much will depend on the circumstances of the case, including how the virus was transmitted.

Jonathan Tan 陈勇仁,
Associate Director, Helmsman LLC
D:  +65 6950 8660
F:   +65 6950 8664
Email: [email protected]

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 23 July, 2021

This article is intended to provide general information only, and is not to be construed as or relied upon as legal advice. Although we endeavour to ensure that the information contained herein is accurate, we do not warrant its accuracy or completeness or accept any liability for any loss or damage arising from any reliance thereon. The information in this article should not be treated as a substitute for legal advice concerning specific situations. If you would like to discuss the implications of this article on your business or obtain legal advice, please do not hesitate to contact Helmsman LLC. 

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Technology

Singapore: Ofiniti, ONE trial direct platform integration to streamline bunker workflows

Ofiniti started a trial in Singapore, integrating FuelBoss directly with a bunker buyer’s own platform, with Ocean Network Express as its first buyer-side integration partner.

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July 22, 2026

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Singapore: Ofiniti, ONE trial direct platform integration to streamline bunker workflows

Ofiniti, the digital platform for maritime fuel operations, on Tuesday (21 July) said it has started a trial in Singapore, integrating FuelBoss directly with a bunker buyer’s own platform.

The company announced Singapore-headquartered container shipping firm Ocean Network Express (ONE) as its first buyer-side integration partner. 

“It is no coincidence we start in Singapore, as the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) remains at the forefront of digitalisation of all things bunkering,” the company said in a social media post.

In November 2023, MPA launched its digital bunkering platform, becoming the world’s first port to implement e-BDN. 

Ofiniti said every bunker delivery still runs on retyped data. 

“The buyer’s system says one thing, the supplier says another, and someone reconciles the gap by email, phone, or PDF. On every stem,” the company said. 

“We built FuelBoss to change this reality.”

With the integration, operational data now flows without manual re-entry, fewer reconciliation errors and faster processing and data, instead of documents, are readily available for procurement and claims workflows. 

“One connection will not transform the industry on its own, but digitalisation gets built one integration at a time. We are grateful to ONE for being willing to go first,” Ofiniti added.

Manifold Times previously reported ONE completing its successful trial of the electronic Bunker Delivery Note (e-BDN) with Shell. 

The e-BDN trial, using the digital bunkering solution developed by Angsana Technology, was conducted on 9 September 2023 at the Port of Singapore, with support from the MPA.

In March 2025, Ofiniti acquired Singapore-based Angsana Technology, with the entire Angsana team joining Ofiniti as part of the acquisition.

Related: MPA Chief Executive: Port of Singapore begins digital bunkering initiative today
Related: Singapore set to become first port in the world to debut electronic bunker delivery notes
Related: ONE completes e-BDN adoption trial with Shell in Port of Singapore
Related: Ofiniti acquires Singapore-based Angsana Technology to advance digital bunkering solutions

 

Photo credit: Ofiniti
Published: 22 July, 2026

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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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July 21, 2026

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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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23 hours ago

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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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