IBIA: Denmark Clamps Down on Bunker Fraud
A Danish bunker company has been ordered by a Danish court to pay a DKK 10 million (USD 1.5 million) fine for having defrauded a Malaysian firm in a “systematic and professional” manner over a period of nearly three years, according to the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA).
The court also sentenced the company’s executive to three and a half years in jail on September 22. The defendants now have two weeks to appeal the verdict.
Danish criminal investigators decided to bring the case to court despite the Malaysian company having withdrawn its original charges. An announcement from the Danish court in connection with the verdict states that the defrauded company received partial compensation from the Danish bunkering company.
“IBIA is encouraged by the fact that reports of these sorts of incidents are being investigated and, where necessary, relevant action is being taken by the courts,” Peter Hall, CEO of IBIA, said.
However, IBIA said that the guilty verdict, together with other recent reports of bad practices, places the bunker industry in a poor light.
“I’d like to stress that the vast majority of bunkering transactions are carried out to the satisfaction of all parties in an ethical manner. Nevertheless, IBIA condemns any fraudulent industry practices without reservation and is working hard to promote best practice guidelines across the industry,” Hall said.
