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Infineum explains: The ability of additives to ‘save’ off-spec VLSFO bunkers depends on these factors

‘We still see circumstances where a product is ‘off-spec’ and the holder of the fuel is then trying to move it back ‘on-spec’ through the use of appropriate additive technology,’ says spokesman.
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The following article is part of event coverage for the upcoming Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition (SIBCON) 2020; where Manifold Times is an official media partner:

International fuel additive company Infineum is still encountering situations where stakeholders of off-spec bunker fuels have been found trying to save their product by using additives in a last minute attempt, according to its Global Fuels Key Accounts Manager.

“Our belief is that fuel suppliers should be providing fuels that not only meet all of the latest required specifications (ISO 8217:2017) but are also fit for purpose for the time that they will be in service and the application for which they are being used,” Steve Benwell told Manifold Times.

“We still see circumstances where a product is ‘off-spec’ and the holder of the fuel is then trying to move it back ‘on-spec’ through the use of appropriate additive technology. In these cases, the ability of additives to ‘save’ the fuel depends on the nature of the problem and its severity.”

According to Benwell, the most common issue seen with Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oils (VLSFOs), a product mainly used by shipowners to meet IMO 2020 compliance, is in sedimentation performance.

“We have also seen many cases where the fuels sedimentation performance is not steady over time, and generally it only ever goes up! VLSFO fuels are typically more paraffinic than the high sulphur counterparts but there is still a desire to get much heavy aromatic material into the fuel since these have high energy density and are cheaper,” he explains.

“This means that many VLSFOs have a higher tendency to destabilise over time as is evident by the higher incidence of sedimentation performance in the industry that is not compliant with ISO 8217.

“This deterioration in sediment performance can occur when fuels are being stored at relatively moderate temperatures (e.g. 50°C) and is not necessarily exposed by the 24-hour aging at 100°C employed in the Total Sediment Potential (TSP) test.

“Addressing this situation through the appropriate additive application can not only protect the fuel holder but also ensure a better experience for their customers further downstream.”

The below list of characteristics and scenarios where the application of additives may, or may not, have an effect on ‘saving’ off-spec VLSFOs has been shared by Benwell:

Sedimentation performance

  • Typically associated with asphaltenes and/or other insoluble materials destabilising and causing the high sedimentation results i.e. >0.1% TSP.
  • Once a fuel has destabilised, and the longer it remains in a destabilised state, the more difficult it is for an additive to get it back ‘on-spec’.
  • Infineum has one of the few additives that can achieve this, but even then it is not assured and depends on the level of sediment in the fuel and the time that it has spent in that state.
  • Additives used at the production point can alleviate that tendency and should be considered by fuel producers for borderline fuels. Testing is the only sure way of knowing whether it will work.

Cold flow characteristics in 0.5% bunker fuels

  • Pour Point and marine gas oil (MGO) Cold Filter Plugging Point can be addressed effectively with wax crystal modification additives as long as the fuel is warm enough where typically the fuel needs to be above the cloud point or the Wax Appearance Temperature of the fuel for the additive to be able to modify the wax crystals as they form in the fuel.
  • The stakeholder also needs to be careful to ensure the additive works for the long term and performance is not lost over time, as this can happen with some chemistries.
  • Cold flow additives can also offer significant benefits in terms of fuel handling in low viscosity fuels.

MGO lubricity

  • Easily addressed with additives and such products are typically designed so that they are easy to bend into the fuel.
  • Stakeholders are recommended to use additives that have been tested against US Navy F76 fuel technical requirements to ensure both the desired level of performance and the robust ‘no harms assurance’ that these specifications ensure.

Physical characteristics

  • Physical characteristics such as sulphur level, flash point, viscosity and the Calculated Carbon Aromaticity Index (CCAI) are not robustly or cost effectively addressable using additive technology and the fuel typically needs to be blended with other fuels or components to address the issue.

“The industry is still coming to terms with the new lower sulphur fuels, especially the wide variety of VLSFO options available where even for perfectly fit for purpose fuels, compatibility between some VLSFOs can be an issue and complete segregation on board may be difficult to achieve,” states Benwell.

“Recently, this has been even further complicated by the Covid-19 Pandemic and its impact on the balance that the refining industry has to strike between crude usage and finished products production.

“However, eventually, we expect the industry to address the issues associated with these new fuels through appropriate specification changes and we expect the ship operators to demand the level of fuel quality required for them to operate their ships without fear of equipment damage or operational difficulties.”

Related: Infineum: Managing Waxy Fuels
Related: Infineum B201 designed for marine fuel stability and compatibility
Related: Inevitable change for marine industry stakeholders ahead, says Infineum

A series of SIBCON 2020 related articles have been earlier written by Manifold Times:

Related: SIBCON 2020: VPS proposes mandate of latest bunker fuel quality standards for Singapore market
Related: SIBCON 2020: Equatorial Marine Fuels provides view on local and global bunker markets post Covid-19
Related: SIBCON 2020: BIMCO Chief Shipping Analyst explains new business dynamics in bunker fuels sector
Related: Chairman of Technical Committee for Bunkering explains SS 660, TR 80; and cast an eye to the future
Related: SIBCON 2020: TR 48 reaps annual savings of at least SGD 80 million for bunkering sector
Related: SIBCON 2020: Singapore introduces new MFM bunkering standards SS 660 and TR 80
Related: SIBCON 2020: Powering Fuels of the Future, Driving towards Decarbonisation
Related: SIBCON 2020: Senior Minister highlights ‘quality resilience and sustainability’ for bunkering sector
Related: Infineum explains: ISO 8217:2017 should be viewed as a ‘minimum performance benchmark’ for VLSFOs
Related: Interview: Hafnia shares IMO 2020 preparations, promotes transparency for bunkering operations
Related: VPS: Shipowners face ‘tricky situation’ to balance VLSFO shelf life and wax appearance temperature
Related: VPS: Big data analysis reveals link between Covid-19 and spike in low flashpoint MGO off-spec cases
Related: Interview: Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions discusses sector growth, IMO 2020, and future plans
Related: SIBCON 2020: Evolution to a ‘completely different’ bunkering industry event, says organiser
Related: Singapore: SIBCON 2020 bunkering event to be hosted virtually

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 8 October, 2020

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Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.
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World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.
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HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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July 21, 2026

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

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