Bia Vessel Reviews and Specifications

In a significant move on June 1, 2023, First Ship Lease Trust (FSL), a prominent shipowner based in Singapore, declared the successful sale of its final Aframax crude oil tanker, the 'FSL London'. This marks the company's strategic withdrawal from the crude oil transportation sector. The vessel's sale was facilitated by FSL's wholly-owned subsidiary, known as FSL-23, which entered into a ship sale and purchase agreement with an external third-party buyer. The agreement includes a 20% deposit from the purchaser. The 'FSL London' has faced difficulties since November 2021 when it was detained by Indian authorities amid an investigation by Candela Customs, particularly regarding the specifications of a cargo that it carried. FSL's announcement confirmed that the tanker had initially been sold to a non-affiliated third party back in September 2021. However, that deal fell through due to significant delivery delays stemming from the ongoing investigation. Following the conclusion of these issues, the ship has departed from Indian waters and is currently en route to Singapore, with an estimated arrival time of June 15, 2023.

In a significant development, FSL Trust Management, based in Singapore, has instigated legal action against Golden Stena Baycrest Tankers, the charterer of the 'FSL London', which is presently detained in India. The vessel was originally slated for sale to the Indonesia-based Samudera Shipping, which is publicly traded in Singapore. However, the transaction was derailed due to delays in the delivery schedule resulting from a customs investigation concerning the specifications of the cargo. According to FSL, these investigations are still active, and customs authorities in Kandla continue to hold the vessel as they determine the next steps. As a result of these delays linked to the cargo carried by the charterer, FSL is seeking compensation for the financial repercussions caused by the ongoing investigations and the vessel's detention. It is important to note that there are currently no legal proceedings against the vessel or FSL itself.

On January 26, 2020, at 3:25 AM, the tanker 'FSL London' was subjected to a security breach while docked at the Belawan anchorage, located at the coordinates 003 56 29.4N, 98 45 14.4E. During their routine patrol, the onboard deck watchmen discovered that the forward store had been forcibly entered, resulting in the theft of several ship-related properties. A thorough examination of the deck area revealed footprints on the forecastle, indicating that the perpetrators likely accessed the vessel via the anchor chain. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of maritime security in busy anchorage locations.