Powering Partnerships with Integrity
In an Industry Built on Trust, Credibility is Currency
Global energy trading moves at high speed billions of dollars in cargoes exchanged every day across oceans, borders, and time zones.
Yet beneath the surface of opportunity lies complexity and risk.
From aviation fuel to marine diesel and crude oil, the success of any deal depends on one foundation: trust backed by documentation.
That’s why at Apalco Energy, we make due diligence a non-negotiable part of every transaction.
What Due Diligence Really Means in Fuel Trading
In simple terms, due diligence is the process of verifying that every party in a transaction buyer, seller, intermediary, or financier is legitimate, capable, and compliant.
It ensures that:
- The product exists and meets required quality standards.
- The supplier or trader is licensed and authorized.
- The buyer has verified financial capacity.
- The transaction meets anti-money laundering (AML) and sanctions requirements.
Without this discipline, fuel trading becomes speculation and that’s where costly mistakes happen.
The Five Pillars of Proper Due Diligence
- Corporate Legitimacy
Every legitimate trader should hold a valid company registration, trade license, and tax identification in their jurisdiction of operation.
At Apalco Energy, we conduct:
- Company verification through official registries (e.g. Singapore, UAE, UK).
- Confirmation of directors and shareholders.
- Validation of import/export permissions for petroleum products.
- Product Quality and Certification
For aviation and refined fuels, quality assurance is everything.
Buyers should request (and traders should supply):
- Certificates of Quality (COQ)
- Certificates of Origin (COO)
- SGS, Intertek, or Bureau Veritas inspection reports
- Fuel conformity to recognized standards such as ASTM D1655, EN590, or ASTM D7566 (for SAF).
No product moves without proof of specification.
- Financial Integrity
Fuel trading involves high-value contracts and substantial payment risks.
That’s why reputable traders operate through bank-verified instruments such as:
- Standby Letters of Credit (SBLC)
- Documentary Letters of Credit (DLC)
- Bank Guarantees (BG)
- Proof of Funds (POF) or Bank Comfort Letters (BCL)
At Apalco Energy, we only transact through Tier-1 or Tier-2 international banks compliant with global AML standards.
- ESG and Sustainability Credentials
Modern fuel buyers especially airlines and state entities increasingly assess traders by their environmental and ethical performance.
That includes certifications such as:
- ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification)
- RSB (Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials)
- ISO 14001 (Environmental Management)
Apalco Energy embeds sustainability and transparency into every transaction from supplier audits to carbon reporting.
- Documentation and Transparency
A trustworthy trader provides a complete documentation trail for each shipment:
- Bill of Lading
- Q&Q (Quantity & Quality) Certificates
- Tank Storage Receipts (TSR)
- Insurance Certificates
- Commercial Invoices
- Cargo tracking data
Every document must align with internationally recognized formats and be verifiable.
Why It Matters More Than Ever
The global fuel market has faced a surge in false intermediaries, counterfeit documents, and fraudulent allocations particularly since supply disruptions and sanctions reshaped trade routes.
This has made due diligence not just a legal requirement, but a competitive advantage.
Buyers and sellers increasingly choose partners who can demonstrate:
- Proven transaction history
- Transparent compliance processes
- Ethical sourcing and ESG credentials
In short, trust now wins deals.
How Apalco Energy Sets the Standard
At Apalco Energy, we go beyond minimum checks:
- We maintain third-party audit compliance with internationally recognized inspection bodies.
- We ensure all counterparties undergo KYC and sanctions screening through trusted financial compliance systems.
- We require every product movement to be backed by verifiable SGS or Bureau Veritas inspection at loading and discharge.
Our clients receive a comprehensive Due Diligence Checklist before any engagement ensuring transparency, accountability, and shared confidence in every deal.
Integrity as Our Fuel
Fuel trading may be complex, but the principle is simple:
Integrity protects value. Documentation builds trust. Transparency powers progress.
In a world where reliability matters more than ever, Apalco Energy is proud to lead with both expertise and ethics.
Apalco Energy — Powering Partnerships with Integrity
Reliable fuel solutions for a sustainable, transparent energy future.
