SENTEK MARINE & TRADING PTE LTD v MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE

Case Significance

Sentek Marine & Trading Pte Ltd v Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore [2024] SGHC 213 was decided by Valerie Thean J in the General Division of the High Court in Originating Application No 442 of 2024, heard on 11 July 2024 with judgment reserved and delivered on 27 August 2024. The applicant, Sentek Marine & Trading Pte Ltd, is in the business of supplying bunkers (fuel, including marine gas oil) to vessels calling at the Port of Singapore. The respondent, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, is the statutory body charged under the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act 1996 (2020 Rev Ed) with the duty to issue licences regulating the sale and supply of fuel to vessels.

As set out in the judgment, on or around 8 September 2013 the MPA issued Sentek two licences: the Bunkering (Bunker Supplier) Licence No 93167 and the Bunker Craft Operator Licence No C95020. The proceedings concerned a judicial review challenge, with the catchwords identifying the grounds as the taking into account of irrelevant considerations, Wednesbury unreasonableness, and natural justice and procedural fairness, including whether there was sufficient information and opportunity to present a case. Sentek was represented by counsel from Audent Chambers LLC and Lee & Lee, including Tan Zhengxian Jordan, Quek Mong Hua and Wong Wai Keong Anthony, while the Attorney-General's Chambers acted for the MPA.