Jurong Port in talks for Lim family's terminal stake

Singapore

SINGAPORE'S state-backed operator Jurong Port Pte is in advanced talks to buy a stake in a petroleum storage hub from the family behind collapsed oil trader Hin Leong Trading Pte, according to people with knowledge of the situation.

The deal is for the roughly 40 per cent stake in Universal Terminal held by the Lim family, the sources said.

The sale would still need to win support from Hin Leong's creditors, one of the sources said. It is unclear if other bidders who were previously exploring their own deals are still challenging Jurong Port for the stake.

If the sale goes through, it could help monetise one of the biggest assets held by the Lim family, which is grappling with the fallout that's hit Hin Leong amid allegations of fraud.

The former heavyweight in global marine fuel trading owes US$3.5 billion to more than 20 banks in one of the biggest commodities scandals in decades, while some creditors and court-appointed managers have taken legal action against the family to recover the money.

A Lim family representative didn't respond to a request for comment. Universal Terminal comprises the bulk of the Lims' business assets, which also include the trading house and a fleet of vessels. A Jurong Port spokesperson declined to comment.

The storage hub counts PetroChina Co and Macquarie Asia Infrastructure Fund as its other shareholders. A spokesperson from PetroChina International (Singapore) Pte said the company is unable to comment on this issue. A Macquarie spokesperson also declined to comment.

Universal Terminal started operations on Singapore's Jurong Island in 2008, and its facilities, which include 78 storage tanks and 15 jetties, offer 2.33 million cubic metres of storage capacity, according to its website.

Universal Terminal was developed at a cost of S$750 million, making it one of the largest independent petroleum-products storage facilities in Asia-Pacific.

Singapore's Jurong Port operates ports and terminals handling cement, steel, containers and fuel in the city-state. The company also has overseas ventures in China and Indonesia. BLOOMBERG