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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) today confirmed that it has revoked the bunker supplier and bunker craft operator licence of AC Oil Pte Ltd with effect from 29th July 2016.

As a result, the company will longer be allowed to operate as a bunker supplier or bunker craft operators in the port of Singapore.

In a statement, the MPA said: "As part of MPA's on-going regulatory efforts to ensure the safety, reliability and quality of bunker supplies in Singapore, checks were conducted on AC Oil Pte Ltd in May and June 2016.

"MPA's investigations into the company revealed discrepancies and wrongful declarations in the records kept on board their bunker tankers. There were also separate incidences of bunker transfers between bunker tankers that were conducted without MPA's approval. In addition, despite being licensed to carry only marine gas oil, (a Class C petroleum product), the bunker tankers operated by AC Oil were found to have carried Class B petroleum, a more easily flammable grade (with a lower flash point) as compared to marine gas oil.

"AC Oil's contraventions increased the safety risks to their own tankers, the crews on-boards, and other port users. MPA has revoked AC Oil's licences as they had breached the terms and conditions of their bunker supplier and bunker craft operator licences.

Supplier ranking and accredited bunker suppliers

The cancellation of the bunker supplier licence of AC Oil Pte Ltd reduces the number of MPA-accredited bunker suppliers in Singapore to 58.

In the MPA's ranking of suppliers by volume in 2015, AC Oil Pte was ranked 54th in a list of 59 suppliers in Singapore. It was the company's first year as an MPA-accredited supplier.

Reminder to suppliers

In a reminder to other bunker companies operating in Singapore, the MPA said: "MPA reminds all licensed bunker suppliers and bunker craft operators to adhere strictly to the terms and conditions of their bunker licences. MPA will take firm action against any licensee who has acted in contravention of their licences, including suspending or revoking their bunker licences, as appropriate."