Bangchak says co-loading explains tanker’s Singapore stop

Bangchak Corporation has confirmed that its oil carrier, which recently passed through the Strait of Hormuz, made a port call in Singapore before arriving in Thailand.

In a statement issued today, the company explained that the stop in Singapore was part of a co-loading arrangement, a common industry practice in which multiple customers share space on the same vessel to maximise transport efficiency.

The vessel in question carried crude oil for more than one customer, with one shipment destined for Singapore.

It therefore delivered cargo in sequence according to its planned itinerary, stopping in Singapore before continuing on to Thailand.

The company said the vessel later proceeded to deliver crude oil to its refinery in Sri Racha as scheduled.

Bangchak added that details concerning other customers are commercially sensitive and cannot be disclosed publicly.

It noted, however, that all relevant information had been provided to Thai authorities from the outset, including during coordination with the government. Senior executives also briefed the energy minister on the matter on Wednesday.

The explanation came after Democrat Party MP Chaichana Detdecho asked during a parliamentary debate on the government’s policy statement why the Bangchak vessel had stopped in Singapore before heading to Thailand.

Chaichana questioned whether part of the crude oil cargo had been sold in Singapore before reaching Thailand.

He said initial plans indicated that two vessels, one operated by Bangchak and another by SCG, were expected to arrive in Thailand on April 6, after transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

He cited information suggesting, however, that one vessel had offloaded part of its cargo in Singapore before arriving in Thailand on April 8.

He questioned why the Thai government, which had helped negotiate with Iran for the safe passage of the vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, had allowed the vessel to stop in Singapore before heading to Thailand.

Chaichana called on the government to explain whether the shipment had been fully intended for Thailand or whether part of the cargo had been diverted for sale elsewhere.

He said the public should be clearly informed if any portion of the oil had been sold in Singapore.