Reviews & Ratings for the Ling-Yu

In a notable legal battle, the owner of the tanker "Lighthouse Winmore" has initiated a lawsuit against South Korean authorities, claiming insufficient efforts were made to facilitate the retrieval of the vessel. Detained since November 24, 2017, off the coast of Yeosu, the ship was allegedly involved in illicit oil transfers to North Korea, contravening United Nations sanctions. The tanker is owned by Win More Shipping, a Hong Kong-based company. On August 1, 2018, Win More Shipping's director filed court documents asserting that the Hong Kong Marine Department unlawfully failed to pursue the ship's release from South Korea. The department is accused of not reaching out to the UN to advocate for the vessel's return, despite Win More's insistence on its innocence. With Hong Kong authorities planning to revoke the tanker’s registration by August 22, the situation is becoming increasingly dire. The proposed deregistration would result in the tanker being held in South Korea indefinitely. According to the legal documents prepared by Brenda Chark & Co., a Hong Kong law firm, the Marine Department's decision to deregister is based on the withdrawal of necessary certifications by Bureau Veritas, an international classification organization. Win More argues that Bureau Veritas's withdrawal was precautionary, driven by concerns over reputational damage due to the allegations. The court filings highlight that South Korean authorities are open to releasing the vessel if the UN committee approves the conditions that would prevent future violations. However, if the Hong Kong director proceeds with the registration cancellation without the committee's input, the crew of 25—comprising 23 Chinese and 2 Myanmarese members—faces the prospect of indefinite detention on the tanker. Since its detention, the ship has been denied provisions, leading to significant concerns about the crew's wellbeing. With no maintenance permitted at dock facilities, the condition of the Lighthouse Winmore has deteriorated, raising fears of fire or capsizing. Insurance companies have distanced themselves from the vessel, potentially leaving the Hong Kong government liable for any environmental damage resulting from the situation. The ownership of Win More Shipping is attributed to Gong Ruiqiang. The initial agreement to charter the tanker was made in July 2017 with a Taiwanese company, Oceanic Enterprise, facilitated by Joey Bay of Singapore's shipbroker Brazilship/Scanbrasil Comercio Maritimo. However, Win More insists it was never informed of any dealings with North Korea by the Taiwanese firm.

On December 29, 2017, the South Korean authorities took action by seizing the tanker 'Lighthouse Winmoore' off the coast of Yeosu. This decision followed revelations that the vessel had covertly transferred 600 tons of refined petroleum to a North Korean ship in international waters back in October 2017. The operation was executed with intelligence support from the United States. South Korean customs officials boarded the tanker upon its arrival at Yeosu Port. The investigation revealed that 'Lighthouse Winmoore' was chartered by the Taiwanese company Billions Bunker Group. Initially, the ship docked at Yeosu Port on October 11 to load a shipment of Japanese refined oil, claiming Taiwan as its final destination just four days later. However, instead of proceeding directly to Taiwan, the tanker rendezvoused with the 'Sam Jong 2', a North Korean tanker with a capacity of 2,507 tons, alongside three other unidentified vessels in the East China Sea. For further details, you can view reports and images at [Telegraph](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/29/seoul-seizes-hong-kong-registered-tanker-used-secretly-sell/) and [Guardian](https://guardian.ng/news/south-korea-seizes-hong-kong-ship-for-oil-transfer-to-north-korea/).