Business

Bunker Flash: Chemical contaminants in fuels from ARA Region

CTI-Maritec obtained feedback from vessels encountering rapid wear on fuel pumps on main propulsion engines and increased deposit formation in the exhaust system.

Published

4 years ago

July 6, 2022

Admin

Marine fuel testing and marine surveying business Maritec Pte Ltd (CTI-Maritec) on Tuesday (5 July) issued an alert regarding presence of chemical contaminants in ARA region bunkers and its effects on fuel pumps and exhaust system.

Maritec has tested several VLSFOs delivered in the ARA region to be observed with the presence of chemical contaminants in the recent months. These VLSFOs also indicated elevated potassium content and acid number.

From these samples, CTI-Maritec has obtained feedback from vessels encountering rapid and excessive wear on fuel pumps on main propulsion engines and a tendency for increased deposit formation in the exhaust system.

Bunker Flash: Chemical contaminants in fuels from ARA Region

Figure 1: Exhaust grid fouling

Figure 2: Turbocharger Nozzle Ring fouling

Figure 3: Fuel Pump Plunger wear down

Forensic analysis by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry techniques, specifically ASTM D7845 GC/MS and Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) GC/MS, on some of the samples revealed the presence of the following compound groups at abnormally high concentrations

Fatty Acids and Monoglycerides (>1000ppm)
Alkylresorcinols (>2000ppm)
Phenolic compounds (>1000ppm)

Fatty acids and Monoglycerides are acidic compounds commonly found in fuels where the FAME content has broken down in the presence of water and have known to cause costly accelerated wear in fuel oil injection pumps. The presence of these compounds can also suggest an inclusion of substandard Bio-fuels into the blend. This also explains the high potassium content in the fuel as Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) is one of the possible catalysts used in the production of bio-diesel. The separation of the spent catalyst out from the final product is a complicated and expensive process. The increased potassium can also contribute towards the total ash forming tendency of the fuel leading to abnormal deposit formation in post combustion exhaust system components.

The presence of Alkylresorcinols and phenolic compounds suggests the inclusion of shale oil which is allowed as per the definition of ‘petroleum fuel’ in ISO 8217 standards. CTI-Maritec’s experience however has shown that the presence of these compounds tends to cause fuel instability leading to issues like filter blockages and purifier bowl overloading. This is despite the Total Sediment potential tests being within specification. Any sludge not capable of being removed by the fuel treatment system can cause combustion issues in the main engine.

If your vessel is expected to bunker in the ARA region; CTI Maritec advises to check the pre-bunkering certificate of quality or Manifold sample test results for signs of abnormally high potassium content (>110ppm) and/or high total acid number (>1.5mgkoh/g) and pre-emptively analyze the bunker fuels by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) that can reveal the presence of undesirable compounds in the fuel thus safeguarding vessel operations.

In every case, CTI Maritec urges bunker fuel receivers to ensure thorough attention is given to the witnessing of correct sampling procedures during bunkering, counter-sealing and recording of seals in the bunker delivery note and any other documentation required to ensure correct representative samples are obtained during the bunkering process.

Collecting objective evidence on the storage, treatment and usage of the fuel is to be always given a high priority in the event an operational problem occurs to determine if the fuel used was one of the root causes for a machinery failure.

This document however does not reflect on the overall quality of fuel being supplied at ARA region.

The presence of off-spec marine fuels at the ARA region has been detected since late June:

Photo credit and source: CTI-Maritec
Published: 6 July, 2022

Winding up

Singapore: Notice of intended dividend issued for Xihe Holdings’ subsidiaries

Creditors will need to produce proofs of debt to liquidators of Da Xin Tankers and Nan Chiau Maritime by 5 August, according to Government Gazette notice.

Published

9 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Admin

Two notices to declare the intended dividend of Xihe Holdings’ subsidiaries to their creditors have been posted on the Government Gazette on Wednesday (22 July).

The subsidiaries are Da Xin Tankers Pte Ltd and Nan Chiau Maritime Pte Ltd.

The following are the details of the notices of intended dividend:

Name of Company : Da Xin Tankers (Pte) Ltd (In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation)
Unique Entity No. / Registration No. : 198400895W
Address of Registered Office : c/o Grant Thornton Singapore Private Limited, 8 Marina View, #40-04/05 Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960
Last Day for Receiving Proofs : 5 August 2026 at 5:00 pm by email to [email protected]
Name of Liquidators : Paresh Tribhovan Jotangia and Ho May Kee
Address : c/o Grant Thornton Singapore Private Limited, 8 Marina View, #40-04/05 Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960

Name of Company : Nan Chiau Maritime (Pte.) Ltd. (In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation)
Unique Entity No. / Registration No.: 200814296Z
Address of Registered Office : c/o Grant Thornton Singapore Private Limited, 8 Marina View, #40-04/05 Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960
Last Day for Receiving Proofs : 5 August 2026 at 5:00 pm by email to [email protected]
Name of Liquidators : Paresh Tribhovan Jotangia and Ho May Kee
Address : c/o Grant Thornton Singapore Private Limited, 8 Marina View, #40-04/05 Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960

Photo credit: steve pb from Pixabay
Published: 23 July, 2026

Biofuel

South Korea: S-Oil launches B30-VLSFO bio bunker fuel supply

Company says it has established an integrated operating system in the Ulsan region covering the entire value chain, from feedstock procurement and blending to supply.

Published

9 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Admin

South Korea: S-Oil launches B30-VLSFO bio bunker fuel supply

South Korean petroleum and refining company S-Oil on Wednesday (22 July) said it has started supplying B30 very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO), as the company seeks to support shipping’s decarbonisation efforts and growing demand for lower-carbon bunker fuels.

The company said its B30 VLSFO contains 30% sustainable biofuel blended with conventional VLSFO and can be used without requiring modifications to existing vessels, enabling shipowners to comply more readily with emissions regulations from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the European Union (EU).

S-Oil said it has established an integrated operating system in the Ulsan region covering the entire value chain, from feedstock procurement and blending to supply. The system combines VLSFO produced at its Onsan refinery with biofuel production facilities and storage infrastructure in the Ulsan region, allowing the entire process to be carried out within a single logistics hub.

According to the company, the integrated supply chain reduces transportation requirements during production while improving supply efficiency and reliability.

S-Oil also highlighted Ulsan Port as a strategic location for marine biofuel supply, noting the port has strong demand for bio-bunker fuels, particularly from car carriers, enabling prompt and stable deliveries to key customers.

An S-Oil official stated: “In the bio-marine fuel market, not only product quality but also securing a stable supply of raw materials and an efficient supply system are important competitive advantages.

“Based on our existing bunkering business capabilities and the excellent supply infrastructure in the Onsan area, we plan to supply stable and competitive low-carbon fuel.”

Photo credit: S-Oil
Published: 23 July, 2026

Decarbonisation

Yang Ming and PSA to develop integrated sea-land decarbonisation solutions

Both will explore solutions spanning emissions measurement and verification, a digital Book-and-Claim framework, and a joint maritime-land inset token package.

Published

9 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Admin

Yang Ming and PSA to develop integrated sea-land decarbonisation solutions

PSA International (PSA) on Monday (20 July) said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation (Yang Ming) to jointly accelerate the adoption of low-carbon solutions across the maritime value chain.

Beyond emissions measurement and verification, the collaboration will focus on a digital Book-and-Claim framework and a joint maritime-land based inset token package.

“This synergy provides cargo stakeholders with a transparent and accountable sea-land pathway to achieve their decarbonisation targets,” PSA said on its website.

Yang Ming launched the green transport service, EcoSea+. This initiative integrates Yang Ming’s low-carbon navigation capabilities to empower customers with a flexible and transparent strategy to effectively reduce their Scope 3 transportation emissions. By joining forces with PSA, Yang Ming is able to expand the impact of these sustainability actions beyond the ocean.

Building on its position as a global port operator, PSA advances its Node to Network strategy through integrated port and supply chain capabilities that enable a green network of terminal and landside operations to reduce end-to-end supply chain emissions.

The agreement was officially signed by Mr Ivan Chiang, Chief Logistics Officer & Senior Vice President of Yang Ming, and Mr Eddy Ng, Group Head of Operations, Technology and Sustainability of PSA International.

Mr Ong Kim Pong, PSA International Group CEO, said, “As responsible stewards of tomorrow, PSA is committed to delivering sustainable impact across the global port and supply chain ecosystem.

“Tackling the challenges arising from climate change will require the collective efforts of all players in the maritime supply chain sector. We are excited to partner Yang Ming on the decarbonisation of global supply chains and support the transition towards a more sustainable global economy.”

Photo credit: PSA International
Published: 23 July, 2026