Man in marine fuel 'buy-back' to be sentenced tomorrow

SINGAPORE - A man found guilty of corruption in a "buy-back" deal involving marine fuel will be sentenced tomorrow.

Greek national Pittis Stavros, who was a chief engineer of the MV Sakura Princess, was charged with one count of Criminal Breach of Trust as a Servant in May last year. He claimed trial and was found guilty by the court on April 10.

In a joint press statement, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) and Marine and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said that bunkering is the process of supplying fuel to ships when they call at ports.

The MV Sakura Princess was to be supplied with 500 tonnes of fuel last year when it called at port in Singapore.

Pittis struck a deal with the bunker clerk and marine surveyor to sell back 200 tonnes of fuel in an arrangement known as "buy-back" in the industry, where fuel is "sold" back to the company supplying it.

The parties involved in the deal colluded to ensure that only 300 tonnes of fuel was supplied to the MV Sakura Princess. The marine surveyor under-declared the amount of fuel remaining in the vessel while the bunker clerk prepared false documentation.

The CPIB and MPA mounted raids on the vessel on Jan 10 last year and arrested the suspects.

sinsh@sph.com.sg