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IBIA: Off-specs and bunker licensing discussed at IMO

IBIA told MSC 106 that off-spec data from 2020 came across as ‘overly alarming’ for several reasons, noting that an “off-spec” fuel does not necessarily pose a significant safety risk to the ship.
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IBIA

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) on Thursday (1 December) published an article on licensing of bunker suppliers which was discussed during the recent 106th session of the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee but said there was not much appetite for pursuing bunker licensing among Member States. A few questioned the degree to which bunker licensing would be effective in preventing supply of off-spec fuels:

IBIA voiced support for licensing of bunker suppliers, but urged caution about how to interpret ‘off-specs’ at the 106th session of the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee that took place from November 2 to 11.

Two papers were submitted to the meeting about fuels that may jeopardize the safety of ships. The submitters of the documents said these would be useful for the Correspondence Group on Development of further measures to enhance the safety of ships relating to the use of fuel oil (CG). This CG, which works between MCS meetings, was re-established at MSC 105. IBIA takes part in the CG with input from the IBIA Technical Working Group. (More info on this link)

One of the papers, MSC 106/18/1, submitted by BIMCO, ICS, INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO provided statistics, based on a set of data from 2020 from a major fuel testing agency, about fuels failing to meet ISO 8217 parameters. The other, MSC 106/INF.19 submitted by Singapore gave details of investigations and actions taken following the supply of bunker fuel containing chlorinated organic compounds in the Port of Singapore earlier this year.

MSC 106/18/1 also pointed to regional differences in off-spec occurrences, and proposed “that Member States, including the individual ports within Member States, and relevant intergovernmental organizations consider implementing and enforcing a licensing scheme for bunker suppliers operating within their jurisdiction to combat the high off-spec occurrence rates in some poorer performing geographical regions”.

Commenting on these papers, IBIA made the following statement at MSC 106: “We thank the co-sponsors of MSC 106/18/1 in relation to off specification occurrence rates during 2020, highlighting regional differences, which we are aware of.  We are very much supportive of the proposal in the document that relevant authorities should be encouraged to consider implementing and enforcing a licensing scheme for bunker suppliers operating within their jurisdiction. The approach of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore in connection with the recent case in Singapore of Organic Chlorides described in MSC 106/INF.19 is a prime example of the benefits of a licensing scheme.”   

During discussions of the two papers at MSC 106, several delegations supported sending both to the CG on fuel oil safety for consideration.

There was not, however, much appetite for pursuing bunker licensing among Member States. A few questioned the degree to which bunker licensing would be effective in preventing supply of off-spec fuels. Several noted that it is entirely the responsibility of the supplier to provide on-spec fuel.

Several delegations stressed that bunker supplier licensing schemes had already been thoroughly discussed in recent years, both by MSC and the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), and that implementation of such licensing schemes should be voluntary. Moreover, MSC agreed that bunker licensing should be addressed by MEPC under the remit of MARPOL.

IBIA and BIMCO have submitted a paper to the upcoming MEPC 79 meeting in December. Our document, MEPC 79/INF.24 shares the results of our joint industry survey, which identified broad support among maritime industry stakeholders for adoption of bunker licensing schemes and mass flow metering systems to improve transparency and market conditions.

We submitted this document to MEPC to raise awareness among IMO Member States and stakeholders of the benefits of adopting effective bunker licencing programmes and MFM technology. (Read it on this link: MEPC 79/INF.24)

Off-spec interpretation

In regards to the off-spec data from 2020 presented in MSC 106/18/1, IBIA told MSC 106 that the data came across as overly alarming for several reasons.

“According to ISO 4259, which is incorporated for every individual test method listed in ISO 8217, a fuel is considered off-spec only if the tested value exceeds both the actual limit and the 95% confidence interval for each specific parameter. The data presented in document MSC 106/18/1 does not appear to take the 95% confidence interval into account, hence the percentage of off-specs is greater than if the paper had followed the industry accepted approach to test results. Data from two testing agencies from the start of 2021 to Q3 of 2022 that do take 95% confidence into account show the percentage of off-specs at much lower levels. For the ARA region, for example, where data in MSC 106/18/1 shows off-specs including sulphur at 19%, data from 2021 and 2022 show off-specs including sulphur averaging 6.76% from one fuel testing agency and quarterly averages ranging from 2.4 – 4.3% from another,” IBIA’s Director and IMO Representative Unni Einemo told MSC 106.

“Most importantly, it should be noted that an “off-spec” fuel does not necessarily pose a significant safety risk to the ship. One of the most common off-specs is excess water, which is easily managed at twice the specification limit. A more critical parameter like Al+Si, meanwhile, is harmful even at on-spec concentrations if the fuel is not properly managed onboard, yet fuels testing above the limit may often be safely managed onboard with due care and attention,” she added.

“In conclusion, this paper does not reflect the percentage of oil fuels that present a significant safety risk to the receiving ship, and we would therefore suggest a more selective approach to examining fuel quality data relating to the safety of ships.”

While there was support for, and no objections to, sending the MSC 106/18/1 to the CG on fuel oil safety, some said more information was desirable, such as an indication of the degree to which parameters exceeded ISO 8217 parameters, and the possible influence on safety associated with the off-spec parameters.

It would also be very useful for the work on assessing oil fuel safety issues to receive more information from concrete cases where fuel has been identified as causing an incident, it was noted.

The CG on oil fuel safety will have several rounds of discussions between now and MSC 107, which is scheduled for early June next year. In the first round, the CG will discuss guidelines for sampling procedures to establish flashpoint. (More info on this link)

 

Photo credit: IBIA
Published: 5 December, 2022

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Winding up

Singapore: High Court to hear Norvic Shipping Asia winding up application on 31 July

Application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to Government Gazette notice.
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July 22, 2026

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RESIZED singapore high court

An application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to a Tuesday (21 July) notice on the Government Gazette.

It noted the winding up application is directed to be heard before the Judge sitting in the General Division of the High Court at 10am on 31 July.

Any creditor or contributory of the company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the winding up application may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose.

A copy of the winding up application will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the company requiring the copy of the winding up application by the solicitors of the applicant’s, Oon & Bazul LLC, on payment of the regulated charge for the same.

The Applicant’s address is Hiridostraat 5, Gebouw Prismatrium, 1101CW Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The Applicant’s solicitors are Oon & Bazul LLC of 103 Penang Rd, #04-04/05/06 Singapore 238467. 

Queries on the winding up application may be directed to the following email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected].

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 22 July, 2026

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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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July 22, 2026

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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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