Bunker Fuel

VPS analysis: 2024 highlights importance of bunker fuel quality testing

VPS says over 50 cases of major operational issues were reported, covering main and auxiliary engine cases plus, fuel delivery system related problems, due to factors such as fuel stability and chemical contamination.

Published

1 year ago

February 19, 2025

Admin

Steve Bee, Commercial Director of marine fuels testing company VPS, on Tuesday (18 February) elaborated on key trends and insights in a 2024 Marine Bunker Fuels Review.

The following are excerpts of the analysis:

Introduction

2024 saw the continuing evolution and widening of available maritime fuel types and grades, as the global shipping industry continues to gather decarbonisation momentum to reduce its emissions to meet current and future legislation targets. Existing CII and EEXI requirements, plus EU ETS legislation, saw increasing demand for additional testing, lower-carbon fuels, data and digitalisation solutions across the shipping sectors.

As the leading maritime decarbonisation testing and advisory services provider, VPS continued to be at the forefront of marine fuels and lubricants analysis, utilising our experience, expertise and innovative approach, to support the drive for a more sustainable shipping fleet.

Throughout the year, VPS witnessed further fuel quality issues with VLSFOs in terms of, sulphur compliance, cold-flow properties, water and cat-fines. In addition, MGO suffered from cold-flow, flash point and FAME off-specifications.

Biofuels usage saw a continuing increase in demand from the market, leading to increasing queries regarding their fuel management and their “fit-for-purpose” as a drop-in marine fuel. This in turn called upon VPS to provide answers and solutions to customers, utilising our extensive knowledge and understanding of biofuels and their associated test parameters.

The launch of the new revision of the international marine fuel quality standard ISO8217:2024 was very much welcomed by the industry. This new revision saw the specification tables increase from two to four, with the inclusion of a <0.50% Sulphur specification and also biofuels in the form of FAME, HVO, GTL and/or, BTL.

2024 witnessed very strong newbuild contracting (2,765 ships of 124.2m GT), the highest in tonnage terms since 2007 (173.4m GT). With 820 of these vessels being “alternative fuel capable”, showing the fuelling transition is still very much in focus.

The Marine Fuel Mix

Across 2024, the fuel mix with respect to samples received for testing in VPS laboratories, equated to more than 65 million MT, which averages at 5.4 million MT of marine fuels per month. VLSFO was the most popular marine fuel with 52% of the fuels used, followed by 32% HSFO, 14% MGO, 1% ULSFO and 1% Biofuels. Regarding biofuels usage, the samples tested by VPS equated to an increase from 558,000 MT in 2023 to 800,000MT in 2024.

VPS Bunker Alerts

Bunker Alerts highlight short term quality fuel quality issues identified by VPS, for a specific test parameter of a specific fuel grade/type in a specific port. The service provides valuable information to customers, to assist in avoiding potentially problematic fuel types in a highlighted port or region, to further protect the customer’s asset and crew.

In 2024, VPS issued 27 Bunker Alerts, one less than in 2023. The 2024 Bunker Alerts included the major fuel grades, i.e. VLSFO, HSFO and MGO, 8 different test parameters and 13 ports.

46% of the 2024 Bunker Alerts were for VLSFO fuels, followed by 32% for HSFO fuels and 21% for MGO. The most common problematic parameter was Sodium (9), accounting for 33% of the Bunker Alerts, followed by Flash Point (8) accounting for 30% of the Bunker Alerts.

Singapore (30%) and ARA (26%) were the regions/ports most frequently requiring a Bunker Alert to be issued. But as these are the two busiest bunkering regions, it is not too surprising.

VLSFO Fuel Quality

As the most used marine fuel type, VLSFO accounts for more than half of the fuels tested by VPS. In terms of quality, VLSFO had an off-specification rate of 5.4% in 2024. Of the 5.4% VLSFO off-specifications, Europe provided the highest level of off-specification VLSFOs in both 2024 (11.9%) and 2023 (7.9%). North America provided the next highest level of off-specification VLSFO with 7% of fuels tested exhibiting at least one off-specification parameter in 2024 and 4.4% in 2023. South America had the third highest VLSFO off-specification rate with 5.9% off-specs versus 3.8% in 2023.

Sulphur is the most common off-specification parameter of VLSFOs, accounting for 44% of VLSFO off-specs in 2024 and 28% in 2023. When it comes to looking at all VLSFOs tested, 0.5% had a sulphur content >0.53%, whilst 1.9% of samples tested were between 0.50%-0.53% sulphur and the remaining 97.6% had a sulphur content of <0.50%.

Pour Point was also a common off-specification parameter for VLSFOs with 13% of VLSFOs off-specs relating to this parameter, a decrease against the 16% level witnessed in 2023.

The importance of the additional cold-flow test of Wax Appearance Temperature (WAT) and Wax Disappearance Temperature (WDT), was further highlighted in 2024 with 57% of VLSFOs exhibiting WAT of 31-40ºC and 11% having WAT between 41-50ºC. 54% of VLSFO samples had a WDT of 41-50ºC, with 20% having a WDT of >50ºC. VLSFOs cold-flow properties are a definite concern with wax precipitating from the fuel at temperatures way in excess of 10ºC above the pour point, potentially causing numerous operational problems such as filter and pipework blockages.

2024 saw a very similar distribution of cat-fines results across all VLSFOs tested compared to 2023, with only 0.6% of samples showing cat-fine levels of greater than 60ppm and hence off-specification. 19% of all VLSFOs showed a cat-fine level greater than 40ppm. Frequent checking of purifier efficiency via VPS’ Fuel System Checks (FSC) service is a highly recommended proactive safeguard in respect to increased cat-fines within VLSFOs.

HSFO Fuel Quality

HSFO represents almost 32% of all bunker samples received by VPS for testing, indicating a relatively high level of scrubber usage onboard vessels today. 10.4% of HSFOs tested in 2024 were off-specification for at least one test parameter. In terms of regional HSFO off-specifications, South America accounted for 29% of off-specs, compared to 30.5% in 2023. Second highest off-spec region was Europe, with 21% in 2024 compared to 21.4% in 2023 and North America was third with 11.5% of HSFO off-specs in 2023, compared to 9.5% in 2023.

As usual, viscosity and density were the two most common HSFO off-spec parameters in 2024, with 54% of the off-spec attributed to viscosity and 21% to density, compared to 43% and 33% respectively in 2023. Water was the third most frequent HSFO off-specification parameter in 2024, with 13% off-spec level compared to 10.5% in 2023.

Whilst cat-fines accounted for 3% of HSFO off-specs in 2024, this was lower than the 2023 level of 4%. Again, like VLSFOs it highlights the importance of Fuel System Checks (FSC) to protect the engine from potential damage from this corrosive contaminant, by improving purifier efficiency. 20% of HSFOs had a cat-fine level of >40ppm in 2024.

Summary

With over 50 reported cases of major operational issues, covering main and auxiliary engine cases plus, fuel delivery system related problems, due to fuel stability, sludging, cat-fines, cold flow properties and chemical contamination, 2024 once again highlighted the importance of bunker fuel quality testing, as a proactive means to protect vessels, their crew and the environment. With additional tests, currently not included within ISO8217, providing further vital information in achieving heightened levels of protection.

Biofuels usage continued to increase in demand and importance, as ship owners and operators look to achieve improvements through CII, EEXI, as well as looking to counter the financial impact of the EU ETS scheme.

The revision of ISO8217 released on 30th May 2024, was a welcomed improvement on previous revisions, but still not a fully comprehensive solution in vessel, crew and environmental protection. Therefore, additional tests continue to hold an important role in fuel management.

Methanol demand and usage will also grow, with a rapidly growing order book for methanol-powered vessels. Yet, methanol also comes with a host of fuel management challenges, with testing playing a major role in ensuring quality and fit-for-purpose considerations.

So, 2025, suggests another year of widening marine fuel types and grades coming to market, coupled with their growing fuel management considerations.

Note: The full copy of VPS’ 2024 Marine Bunker Fuels Review can be viewed here.

Photo credit: VPS
Published: 19 February, 2025

Up Next

Lauritzen Bulkers highlights hurdle in securing smaller parcels of bio bunker fuel supply

Don't Miss

Gasum to charter new LNG bunker vessel to serve Northwestern European market

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”.

Published

9 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Admin

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

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.

Published

9 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Admin

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.

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

Bunker Fuel

Alkagesta highlights key insights of Malta bunkering market in 2026

Darren Lee Axisa discusses the key trends influencing Malta’s bunkering market and the factors that will determine Malta’s long-term competitiveness as a regional bunkering hub.

Published

9 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Admin

Alkagesta highlights key insights of Malta bunkering market in 2026

In an article published on Alkagesta Market Insights, Darren Lee Axisa, Malta Country Manager of Alkagesta, on Monday (20 July) discussed the key trends influencing Malta’s bunkering market and the factors that will determine Malta’s long-term competitiveness as a regional bunkering hub:

Malta’s bunkering and energy market is moving through a period of structural adjustment. The disruptions that defined the first half of 2026 have accelerated shifts in product demand, terminal strategy, and the competitive dynamics of one of the Mediterranean’s most strategically positioned bunkering hubs. For Alkagesta, whose storage footprint on the island approaches 300,000 cubic metres, the period has tested operational flexibility while reinforcing the value of diversified infrastructure access.

A Market Shifting in Two Directions

Malta’s broader economy has remained resilient — GDP growth reached 3.9% in Q1 2026 — but the bunkering market has undergone a significant product mix shift, the roots of which predate the current geopolitical disruption.

The Mediterranean Emission Control Area, which came into force on 1 May 2025, triggered an immediate and measurable realignment in fuel demand across the region. VPS data covering the first six months post-ECA implementation shows that across the top ten Mediterranean bunkering ports, VLSFO volumes fell 23%, MGO more than doubled, ULSFO quadrupled, and biofuels increased fivefold. In Valletta specifically, the shift was even more pronounced: VLSFO dropped 57% from 111,641 mt to 47,732 mt, while MGO volumes more than tripled from 33,299 mt to 103,445 mt, and ULSFO rose from 2,821 mt to 34,535 mt over the same period.

This structural rotation has been further accelerated by the broader regulatory environment. FuelEU Maritime and EU ETS requirements are pushing shipowners toward cleaner, verifiable fuel options at every port call — a direction Alkagesta had already positioned itself ahead of, having been among the first movers in the Mediterranean to support the transition to 0.1% sulphur fuel oil following the ECA’s introduction.

Layered on top of this regulatory shift has been a period of reduced terminal capacity affecting bunkering market availability across the island. Fuel oil volumes dropped roughly 35% year-on-year between January and May 2026, falling from approximately 382,000 mt in 2025 to 247,000 mt. DMA demand moved sharply in the opposite direction, rising from around 150,000 mt in January to April 2025 to 247,000 mt over the same period in 2026 — a trend consistent with both the ECA-driven product mix shift and the disruption to heavier fuel availability during the constrained period.

Note: The full article can be read here.

Photo credit: Alkagesta
Published: 22 July, 2026