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JL Petroleum Pte Ltd has pleaded guilty in court (on August 18) for supplying bunker fuel in the Port of Singapore without a valid bunker supplier licence issued by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), as required under regulation 64(b) of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Port) Regulations. The company was fined under regulation 78(b) of the Port Regulations.

MPA had brought charges against JL Petroleum for supplying bunkers on 14 occasions between June 2 and June 25, 2013. In addition, JL Petroleum is said to have used bunker delivery notes belonging to Excel Petroleum Enterprise Pte Ltd for the deliveries.

MPA had cancelled Excel Petroleum Enterprise's bunker supplier licence on January 15, 2014, for the company's involvement in this case, as its actions were said to have breached the terms and conditions of the licence.

In a warning to other players in the Singapore bunker market, the MPA today issued a reminder to bunker suppliers and bunker craft operators, saying: "The bunkering industry is an important and integral part of the Port of Singapore. All bunker suppliers operating in the Port of Singapore must be licensed by MPA, and all licensees must adhere strictly to the terms and conditions of the licence. Any licensee found to have contravened any terms and conditions will have his licence suspended or cancelled. MPA adopts a zero tolerance approach towards bunkering malpractices and will not hesitate to take action against any unlicensed entity operating in the Port of Singapore.

"All licensed bunker craft operators are advised to refrain from delivering bunkers on behalf of any person, firm or company that is not a bunker supplier licensed by MPA."

To report any instance of malpractice, the MPA's Bunker Services Department can be contacted at bsd@mpa.gov.sg.