Energy trader Winson Oil Trading is seeking damages from Standard Chartered for failed payments over a diesel cargo sold to Hin Leong Trading.
The Hin Leong debacle continues to unravel with Winson Oil filing the latest case to seek damages, interest and costs – at least $30.4 million – from Standard Chartered, according to court documents.
Documents show that Winson Oil sold a cargo of ultra-low sulfur diesel to Hing Leong and had received a letter of credit (LC) from Standard Chartered in early April. Upon presenting the LC through Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Standard Chartered failed to complete the payment.
23 banks were reportedly affected by financial distress at Hin Leong, whose founder reportedly admitted that the Singapore oil trader failed did not disclose losses totaling $800 million. OCBC is amongst the affected lenders who also faced charges from Winson Oil which demanded payment for the sale of fuel financed by the bank.
Hin Leong is currently under Singapore’s judicial management to restructure billions of dollars in debt.