The “Bunga Melati 5” – High Court (Admlty) (Judith Prakash J) – 22 July 2015 [2015] SGHC 190

Agency – Contracts for supply of bunkers – Whether purchaser of bunkers acted as agent for owner of vessels being supplied – Whether purchaser had actual or implied authority to purchase bunkers on behalf of shipowner – Whether agency by estoppel established – Whether shipowner liable to bunker supplier for non-payment

The plaintiff, Equatorial Marine Fuel Management Services Pte Ltd (EMF), a Singapore company, sold and supplied bunkers. The defendant, MISC Berhad (MISC), a Malaysian company, owned and operated ocean-going vessels. Market Asia Link Sdn Bhd (MAL) was another Malaysian company that was incorporated initially for the purpose of selling spare parts for ships.