Winbuild Petrofin bunkering licences cancelled after severe contract breaches

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has barred the bunker supplier from operating due to a couple of infractions.

"The company was found to have breached Clause 3 of the terms and conditions of the Bunkering Licence (Bunker Supplier) by allowing another company to use Winbuild’s Bunker Delivery Notes (BDN) to supply bunkers to the customers of that company. Winbuild was also found to have breached Clause 30 of the terms and conditions of the Bunkering Licence (Bunker Craft Operator) for delivering bunkers on behalf of an unlicensed company to customers of that company," said the MPA in a release.

The cancellation of the licences take effect beginning 15 June 2012.

"With the cancellation of Winbuild Petrofin Pte Ltd’s bunkering licences, the company will no longer be allowed to operate as a bunker supplier and a bunker craft operator in the Port of Singapore. All bunker suppliers and bunker craft operators operating in the Port of Singapore are required to be licensed by MPA," said the MPA.

"The bunkering industry is an important component of Singapore's maritime industry. Singapore's success as the world’s top bunkering port can be attributed to its stringent licensing requirements, quality assurance standards, active industry engagement and strict enforcement. All licensed bunker suppliers and bunker craft operators are required to adhere strictly to the terms and conditions of the bunkering licences. MPA will not hesitate to suspend or cancel the bunkering licence of any bunker supplier or bunker craft operator that is found to have contravened any of the terms and conditions of the bunkering licences,” said Capt M Segar, MPA’s Assistant Chief Executive (Operations)," it said.

"MPA would like to emphasise to all licensed bunker suppliers that the bunker supplier’s licence is not transferable under the terms and conditions of the bunkering licence. All licensed bunker craft operators are also advised not to make use of any bunker craft to deliver bunkers on behalf of any person, firm or company that is not a bunker supplier licensed by MPA," it added.