A Bunkering Deal Gone Awry

15 May 2013

The bunkering industry in Singapore is a lucrative business with more than 65,000 bunkering operations taking place here every year. In 2012, Singapore was the world's top bunkering port with bunker sales volume of more than 42 million metric tonnes (mt). With the present high bunker prices, there is a high temptation for opportunistic individuals to take advantage of the chances to reap large profits and pay-offs.

Earlier this year, acting on information received of illegal bunkering activities, officers from the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) conducted a joint operation involving a bunker barge, MT Ivory.

Subsequent investigations revealed that during a bunkering operation, four people came together to ensure that MT Ivory delivered a shortfall of marine fuel to the vessel - MT Front Splendor. The vessel had received less fuel than the amount of 2662.389 mt stated in the documents. The intent of this endeavour was to enable the buying back of the extra fuel.

The four accused persons are Antonov Sergey ("Antonov") employed by M/s V Ships UK, as the Chief Engineer of the vessel MT Front Splendour; Jason Choo Soo Beng ("Jason"), Cargo Officer with Sea Hub Energy Pte Ltd, assigned to the bunker barge MT Ivory; Lam Tat Fei ("Tat Fei"), a boatman also under the employment of Sea Hub Energy Pte Ltd; and Victor Loh Tuck Seng ("Victor"), a bunker surveyor working for M/s Saybolt Singapore Pte Ltd.

Investigations revealed that Antonov, the Chief Engineer had received a payment of US$8,400 from Jason, the Cargo Officer to accept the short delivery of marine fuel. Antonov then gave a sum of US$400 to Victor, the independent surveyor, to provide false verification. Victor further received US$5,500 from Jason for the deal.

Investigations also revealed that Jason had given US$200 to Tat Fei, the boatman who had obtained confirmation to proceed with the deal, and for delivering the amount of US$18,000 to pay for the extra fuel resulting from the shortfall. To account for the extra fuel on board MT Ivory, Jason falsified a barge transfer advice and the stock movement logbook to indicate a bogus transfer of fuel from another vessel, MT Hai Soon X, to the MT Ivory. Please refer to the diagram (Annex A) attached for the relationships between the 4 accused persons.

Antonov Sergey will be charged with one count of corruptly obtaining a gratification of US$8,400 (which is an offence under Section 6(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 241); one count of corruptly giving a gratification of US$400 to Victor (under Section 6(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 241); and two counts of knowingly using false documents with the intent to deceive his employer, M/s V Ships (under Section 6(C) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, chapter 241).

Jason Choo Soo Beng will be charged with three counts of corruptly giving US$5,500 to Victor; US$8,400 to Antonov; and US$200 to Tat Fei under Section 6(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 241; and one count of knowingly using false documents to deceive M/s V Ships UK under Section 6(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 241. In addition, Jason faces two charges of falsifying documents under Section 477A of the Penal Code, Chapter 224.

Lam Tat Fei will be charged with two counts of abetting by engaging in a conspiracy with Jason, under Section 6(b) read with Section 29(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 241; and one count of corruptly accepting a gratification of US$200 under Section 6(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 241.

Victor Loh Tuck Seng will be charged with two counts of corruptly obtaining a gratification of US$5,500 and US$400 from Jason and Antonov respectively under Section 6(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 241. In addition, Victor will also face one count of knowingly using false documents with the intent to deceive M/s V Ships UK under Section 6(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 241.

All four accused persons will be charged in Court on 15 May 2013. The respective charges are attached (Annex B).

Singapore has always adopted a zero tolerance approach towards corruption and criminal activities. The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) take a serious view of any corrupt practices in the bunkering industry, and will not hesitate to take action against any parties involved.

Jointly issued by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

About the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established on 2 February 1996, with the mission to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and international maritime centre (IMC), and to advance and safeguard Singapore's strategic maritime interests. MPA is the driving force behind Singapore's port and maritime development, taking on the roles of Port Authority, Port Regulator, Port Planner, IMC Champion, and National Maritime Representative. MPA partners the industry and other agencies to enhance safety, security and environmental protection in our port waters, facilitate port operations and growth, expand the cluster of maritime ancillary services, and promote maritime R&D and manpower development.

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore press release