Business

IBIA proposals to IMO on bunker fuel safety and sampling guidelines

IBIA submitted several proposals to MSC in a bid to improve understanding and workability of new flashpoint regulations and associated draft sampling guidelines for fuel oil.

Published

3 years ago

May 30, 2023

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The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) on Friday (26 May) released an article on its submission of proposals to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) in a bid to improve understanding and workability of new flashpoint regulations and associated draft sampling guidelines for fuel oil.

IBIA also aims to improve general understanding of fuel quality in a joint submission with ISO:

The 107th session (MSC 107), lasting from 31 May to 9 June, will continue discussion on an agenda item called Development of further measures to enhance the safety of ships relating to the use of fuel oil. In essence, the aim is to introduce increased control on the supply of bunker fuels. The initial focus was on flashpoint, but discussions have also been going on in a Correspondence Group on the subject about “possible measures related to oil fuel parameters other than flashpoint.”

IBIA has authored four submissions to MSC 107 under this agenda item, mainly in response to draft sampling guidelines and other ideas discussed in the report of the Correspondence Group.

Confusion around flashpoint documentation

In November 2022, MSC 106 adopted amendments to Chapter II-2 of SOLAS regarding flashpoint “to further enhance the safety of ships using conventional oil-based fuel oils”.

We have observed that the regulatory text for information to be provided by the bunker supplier regarding flashpoint is causing a lot of confusion. We have therefore proposed a unified interpretation (UI) of SOLAS chapter II-2 to help clarify the meaning of the regulatory text, and we are asking for a corresponding UI to be approved for MARPOL Annex VI, which has added a flashpoint documentation requirement for the bunker delivery note. You can see the full details in MSC 107/6/2

Joint MSC-MEPC sampling guidelines

MSC 107 will consider draft joint MSC-MEPC sampling guidelines. These were developed by the Correspondence Group after it was agreed that the delivered MARPOL sample (for sulphur verification) can also be used to confirm flashpoint.

IBIA makes proposals to these draft MSC-MEPC guidelines regarding the sampling location to take into account safety, practicality and alignment with established industry practice. We argue that the most important aspect of the statutory sample to be retained by the ship is that it is representative of the fuel delivered, so it is essential that the sample is drawn by skilled personnel. Our paper, having described the issues in detail, concludes by proposing that the joint MSC-MEPC Guidelines should allow the sampling equipment to be positioned at the bunker manifold of either the receiving ship or the bunker tanker, as agreed between the receiving ship and supplier in advance. You can see the full details in MSC 107/6/5

We have also proposed modifications to the draft MSC-MEPC sampling guidelines to reflect practical considerations regarding sample integrity and sample bottle size. For full details, see MSC 107/6/3

Regulating “other parameters”

Following new SOLAS regulations to tighten control of flashpoint, MSC is also considering possible measures related to other fuel parameters that may present safety issues. This has been extensively discussed both during previous MSC meetings and in the Correspondence Group between meetings.

One of the ideas discussed in the Correspondence Group is to add a general regulation in SOLAS in line with Regulation 18 of MARPOL Annex VI. An alternative proposal put forward is to reference a fuel standard, which would in essence make compliance with ISO 8217:2017 mandatory.

IBIA and ISO have submitted a joint paper which advises against mandating ISO 8217, as this would likely generate many unjustified demands for debunkering fuels which are either perfectly safe, or may be safely managed onboard with due care and attention.The paper also provides a brief explanation of 95% confidence and ISO 4259 to address some common misconceptions, and goes on to explain the difficulties in establishing which chemical components pose a safety risk, and why it is considered unadvisable to regulate oil fuel parameters other than flashpoint due to uncertainties in establishing clear and consistent links between specific fuel parameters and the safety of ships.

You can see the full details in MSC 107/6/4

ISO and IBIA will do a joint presentation during MSC 107 on the issues covered in MSC 107/6/4, involving some of the experts that take part in the IBIA Technical Working Group. This group has been consulted during all of IBIA’s work at the IMO relating to fuel safety and other fuel technical issues. We are hugely grateful to the IBIA Technical Working Group, which includes top industry experts, for providing relevant expertise to our work.

Safe delivery of GHG reduction

IBIA is one of multiple co-sponsors alongside IMO Member States and other NGOs to a proposal for MSC to take on a new agenda item to develop a road map to support the safe delivery of the IMO’s GHG reduction strategy. The aim is to undertake a regulatory assessment of safety aspects and facilitate the safe deployment of fuels and technologies needed in the industry’s transition to using low and zero GHG fuels and technologies. You can see the full details in MSC 107/17/21

Note: The above is an extract of an MSC 107 preview in the Q2, 2023 issue of IBIA’s official magazine World Bunkering.

Photo credit: International Bunker Industry Association
Published: 30 May, 2023

Biofuel

BHP and GCMD trial multi-feedstock B100 bio bunker fuel on bulk carrier

Bio-blend in the BHP and GCMD pilot is being used on a BHP-chartered bulk carrier “Berge Lyngor”, which was bunkered in Singapore in early May.

Published

17 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Admin

BHP and GCMD trial multi-feedstock B100 bio bunker fuel on bulk carrier

BHP and the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) on Wednesday (3 June) said they have blended biofuels from two distinct feedstocks—used cooking oil and waste animal fats —and introduced the lower-emissions marine fuel into a BHP-chartered bulk carrier as part of a pilot project.

The bio-blend in the BHP and GCMD pilot is being used on a BHP-chartered bulk carrier Berge Lyngor, owned and operated by Berge Bulk, transporting BHP iron ore from Western Australia to China. When run on bio-blend, the vessel has the potential to reduce well-to-wake greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 79 per cent per voyage compared to sailing on very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO).

The vessel bunkered in Singapore in early May with a B100 bio-blend comprising 50 percent tallow-derived biodiesel, sourced and supplied by HAMR Energy, and 50 per cent used cooking oil (UCOME) supplied by Mitsui & Co Energy Trading Singapore (METS).

Mitsui also blended the fuel and Dan-Bunkering coordinated and executed the bunkering operation, which was performed by Global Energy’s barge MT Maple.

The BHP and GCMD pilot will assess how biofuels from multiple feedstocks can be blended, handled, and introduced under real-world operating conditions using existing used cooking oil bunkering infrastructure.

At the same time, insights from this pilot will help identify solutions to challenges related to fuel quality, handling, traceability, and onboard vessel performance.

Biofuels for global shipping today rely heavily on used cooking oil – a feedstock whose availability is approaching its projected limits. Biofuel from waste animal fats presents a promising option to expand the supply of lower-emissions marine fuels.

The outcomes of the pilot are expected to shed light on the practical steps to integrate biofuel blends from different feedstocks into existing supply chains. The diversity of biofuels will provide shipowners and operators with greater flexibility to optimise fuel procurement based on cost, availability, and lifecycle emissions performance.

Biofuels derived from different feedstocks can exhibit varying properties that may impact operations, including potential corrosion from oxidation, fuel system clogging caused by wax formation, which this pilot aims to assess.

The pilot will trace and verify the biofuel blend’s integrity aimed at bolstering confidence in emissions reductions reporting. The pilot will also provide insights into how robust tracing can support future marine fuel supply chains where biofuels from multiple feedstocks with varying lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions footprints are blended together.

This project is co-funded by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore under the Maritime Innovation and Technology Fund (MINT).

Photo credit: Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation
Published: 3 June, 2026

Biofuel

NYK starts one-year B100 bio bunker fuel trial on car carrier

In this trial, NYK will operate a car carrier continuously on B100 for one year to evaluate the impact on engines, fuel supply systems, and operational practices.

Published

17 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Admin

NYK starts one-year B100 bio bunker fuel trial on car carrier

Japanese shipping firm NYK on Tuesday (2 June) said it has commenced a one-year long-term trial involving the continuous use of 100% biofuel (B100) on an NYK-operated car carrier.

In this trial, NYK will operate a car carrier continuously on B100 for one year to evaluate the impact on engines, fuel supply systems, and operational practices. High-purity biofuels such as B100 are known to be susceptible to degradation from oxygen, light, and heat, raising concerns about the stability of such fuels during long-term use.

In this trial, the biofuel primarily comprises FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) derived from used cooking oil and similar feedstocks.

The initiative is designed to evaluate the fuel’s effects on the vessel’s equipment and verify operational safety under real-world conditions.

Through this effort, NYK seeks to accumulate technical expertise that will support the broader use of high-purity biofuels and further accelerate efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

NYK has been advancing the use of biofuels through various initiatives. In 2024, the company conducted a trial using biofuel blend B24 and subsequently expanded practical usage to B30. However, the company said there remains limited global experience with the long-term continuous use of B100.

“By collecting long-term operational data through this trial, NYK aims to accumulate valuable technical insights to support both the safe operation of vessels and the wider adoption of high-purity biofuels,” it said.

Photo credit: NYK
Published: 3 June, 2026

Ammonia

AM Green plans to build green ammonia plant at Indian port

Initiative also includes development of green ammonia handling, storage and bunkering infrastructure, pilot bunkering operations, safety procedures and training programmes, says VOC Port Authority.

Published

17 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Admin

VO Chidambaranar (VOC) Port Authority on Friday (29 May) said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s ammonia producer AM Green Ammonia to collaborate in the development of a green ammonia production plant.

The plant will have a capacity of one million tonnes per annum (MTPA) at Tuticorin.

The initiative also includes development of green ammonia handling, storage and bunkering infrastructure, pilot bunkering operations, safety procedures and training programmes.

The project is expected to support the development of green fuel corridors connecting VOC Port with major ports in Europe and Asia, thereby strengthening India’s position in the global green fuels value chain.

VOC Port also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bureau Veritas (India) Pvt. Ltd., to collaborate on Green Port certification, emissions accounting, ESG reporting, safety validation, development of green bunkering practices, and establishment of a Centre of Excellence for green fuels and sustainability.

The port also plans for an upcoming 750 m³ green methanol bunkering facility.

Photo credit: Naveed Ahmed on Unsplash
Published: 3 June, 2026