Legal / Regulations

Ex-Glencore Trader Charged With Oil Price Manipulation

A former Glencore Plc trader was charged by U.S. authorities with conspiracy to manipulate a key oil price benchmark, the latest sign that prosecutors around the world are stepping up their scrutiny of the notoriously opaque commodity trading industry, says an article published in Bloomberg.

Federal Court’s Claim

U.S. prosecutors alleged that Emilio Heredia, a former Glencore employee, directed buy and sell orders that would push fuel oil prices up and down. That allowed the companies he worked...

https://mfame.guru/ex-glencore-trader-charged-with-oil-price-manipulation/

Bulk Carrier Convicted for Garbage Discharge Overboard

The chief officer and owner of a bulk carrier were convicted and fined in Australia for dumping trash overboard, reports the Maritime Executive.

While the fines were small dollar amounts, Australian authorities said it was the principle of dumping trash into protected waters and that it would send a broader message of the shipping industry.

Zero-tolerance approach to pollution

Allan Schwartz, General Manager Operations for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said, “Australians and tourists...

https://mfame.guru/bulk-carrier-convicted-for-garbage-discharge-overboard/

California Increases Penalties for Oil Spill-related Offenses

In September 2020, the state legislature in California enacted a statutory amendment to its marine oil pollution law (AB 3214), which greatly enhanced the monetary penalties that can be imposed after such incidents, reads a Gard article.

The law came into effect in January 2021.

Criminal penalties revised 

Following this decision, criminal penalties for oil spill-related offenses under California’s Lempert-Keene-Seastrand Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act are now increased.

For the records,...

https://mfame.guru/california-increases-penalties-for-oil-spill-related-offenses/

2 Men Arrested For Selling Fake CDCs And Identity Cards

Mumbai Crime Branch arrested two people who were allegedly creating fake seafarer documents and selling it for profit to those looking for jobs in the sector, an official said on Friday, reports Outlook India.

The Trap

Acting on a tip off that one of them would come to Reay Road area to deliver a continuous discharge certificate (CDC), a trap was laid by Crime Branch’s Unit II, he said.

What is CDC?

A CDC is a document through which a country certifies that its citizen is a seaman as per...

https://mfame.guru/2-men-arrested-for-selling-fake-cdcs-and-identity-cards/

Angriya Currently At Port of Galle As floatel for Seafarers

Completely inactive all through 2020 due to the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, India’s first cruise ship Angriya is being currently used at the southern Sri Lankan port of Galle as a floating hotel to quarantine seafarers who are either leaving or joining duty, reports Seatrade Maritime.

Sea Travel Bubble Services

As part of the sea travel bubble services for crew changes, the ship has been serving seamen who have been stranded across the globe due to the limited frequency of flights to either...

https://mfame.guru/angriya-currently-at-port-of-galle-as-floatel-for-seafarers/

$3 Million Environmental Fine Slapped On Shipping Company

  • A federal judge on Guam on Wednesday outlined the allocation of a Singaporean shipping company’s $3 million environmental fine.
  • $500,000 is designated as a criminal fine as a violation of the Clean Water Act and shall be paid to the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.
  • This fine will provide immediate funds for federal spill response efforts and compensation for certain damages.

A recent news article published in the Guam Daily Post reveals that a shipping company has been fined to the tune of $3M.

T...

https://mfame.guru/3-million-environmental-fine-slapped-on-shipping-company/

Supreme Court Acquits Monjasa in São Tomé Bunker Cargo Dispute

  • Bunker company Monjasa will not have to pay compensation of DKK 40 million in an unusual dispute with Stena Oil, rules Denmark’s Supreme Court.
  • Stena Oil filed a court case for Monjasa to relinquish profits it made from the fuel in question as it sees itself to be the owner of the confiscated cargo.

In an unusual court case concerning the purchase of an oil cargo, bunker company Monjasa has been acquitted and will not have to pay compensation totaling around DKK 40 million (USD 6.5 million),...

https://mfame.guru/supreme-court-acquits-monjasa-in-sao-tome-bunker-cargo-dispute/

Maersk Sues Glencore Over Contaminated Bunkers

  • Maersk accuses Glencore of having supplied low quality bunker for two of its container ships in 2018.
  • The ships subsequently experienced engine problems, and Maersk wants millions of dollars in compensation for the damages.

Logistics giant AP Moller-Maersk is suing global commodity trader Glencore over an alleged bunker fuel contamination that it claims caused an engine failure in 2018, reports Ship & Bunker.

Contaminated fuel leads to engine failure

The Sofie Maersk suffered total engine...

https://mfame.guru/maersk-sues-glencore-over-contaminated-bunkers/

Captain of Dive Boat Indicted for Killing 34 Passengers

  • The captain of the Conception dive boat, was indicted on Tuesday on 34 counts of seaman’s manslaughter.
  • The captain was responsible for the boat to go on flames killing 34 people.
  • The flames might have been sparked by cellphones and batteries left charging overnight.
  • Three safety violations were cited in the indictment.
  • They are failing to have a night watch or roving patrol, failing to conduct sufficient fire drills, and failing to conduct sufficient crew training.

A recently published...

https://mfame.guru/captain-of-dive-boat-indicted-for-killing-34-passengers/

Vessel Detained Over Payment Disputes in Singapore

According to a Ship & Bunker report, a chemical tanker was held in the Southeast Asian port of Singapore. 

Ship arrest

The vessel Navig8 Ametrine, 37,596 deadweight tonne chemical and oil product tanker was reported to be detained late last month. 

According to shipping database equasis, the ship is controlled by Singaporean shipping interests.

Reason for the arrest

The reasons for the arrest are unknown but are likely to be to do with disputes over payment for goods and services.

Did you subscribe...

https://mfame.guru/vessel-detained-over-payment-disputes-in-singapore/

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