A waste oil refinery operating at Stella Mare Efate has been temporarily shut down after it was discovered the company behind it—New Era Energy Solution—had no permit to conduct its activities in Vanuatu.

The facility, which burns waste oil to produce mazut and other by-products, was ordered to pause operations this week following an inspection by the Department of Environment.

VBTC News witnessed the shutdown as compliance officers from the Ministry of Climate Change and the Department of Environment issued a stop notice to company owner Jim Sheng, citing the lack of proper licensing and environmental permits.

Senior compliance officer Tom Maemae confirmed the order, explaining that the company must now formally apply for environmental clearance before operations can resume.

“At the moment, the Department has issued a stop notice. We are requiring the company owner to come forward, meet with the Director of Environment, and lodge an official application. Only then can we determine the way forward,” Maemae told VBTC.

Following the enforcement notice, workers at the refinery halted all activity and are now awaiting further instruction from company management.

The temporary closure highlights the importance of regulatory compliance for any industrial operation in Vanuatu, especially those with potential environmental impacts.