Tankoil among two bunker suppliers banned from operating in Singapore

TANKOIL Marine Services, the company implicated in the bunker scandal that led to the collapse of OW Bunker, has been barred from operating in Singapore.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has revoked the bunker supplier and bunker craft operator licences of Hong Fatt Oil Trading and Tankoil with effect from Feb 9.

The two companies are no longer allowed to operate as bunker suppliers and bunker craft operators in the Port of Singapore, the regulator said in a statement on Thursday.

MPA said that it had conducted routine checks last year on Hong Fatt and Tankoil, as part of its ongoing regulatory efforts to ensure the safety, reliability and quality of bunker supplies in Singapore.

MPA's separate investigations into the two companies revealed discrepancies and wrongful declarations in the records kept on board their bunker tankers. There were also incidences of transfers of bunkers between bunker tankers that were done without MPA's approval. MPA has therefore decided to revoke the companies' licences as they had breached the terms and conditions of their bunker supplier and bunker craft operator licences.

In its statement, MPA issued a reminder to all licensed bunker suppliers and bunker craft operators to adhere strictly to the terms and conditions of their bunker licences.

It said it will take firm action against any licensee who has acted in contravention of their licences, including suspending or revoking their bunker licences, as appropriate.