Findings of an industry wide survey on fuel oil quality and safety conducted by BIMCO, The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO has suggested the transition to IMO 2020 compliant fuel oil (0.5% sulphur) has not been without problems, says fuel treatment specialist Aderco.
The dataset was based on 192 responses from individuals of the respective members’ technical (52.6%), operational (21.9%) and bunker (8.3%) departments.
BIMCO noted the distribution frequency of answers cannot be considered to represent the frequency of problems in the world fleet.
However, it does give an indication of where the challenges may have been for the shipping industry on a global basis since 1 January 2020.
“With new blend proportions and feedstocks needing to be formulated in order to create fuel mixtures that comply with the IMO’s new 0.5 % sulphur limit, issues such as increased sludge deposits, wax, increased wear and tear due to cat fines, poor ignition, fuel oil pumps seizures, as well as loss of propulsion very much mirrored requests from ship owners, ship managers and ship operators, seeking assistance as how best to handle the situation using our products, both as a preventative measure and remedy,” said Olivier Baiwir – Managing Director at Aderco.
“Clearly, whilst Covid-19 has not assisted the situation for bunker suppliers, fluctuating fuel issues such as poor stability and compatibility, higher pour point, fluctuating viscosities and fuel contamination can all lead to low shelf life of some VLSFO’s.”
Related: BIMCO: Industry survey shows switch to low-sulphur fuel has not been without problems
Related: BIMCO, ICS, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO launch IMO 2020 fuels survey
Photo credit: Aderco
Published: 27 August, 2020
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Cash of SGD 4.43 million and USD 243,100, and one piece of 100-gram gold-coloured bar recovered in safe belonging to Abdul Latif Bin Ibrahim kept at Extra Space warehouse storage facility, show court documents.
Program introduces periodic assessments, mass flow metering data analysis, and regular training for relevant key personnel to better handle the MFMS to ensure a high level of continuous operational competency.
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Individuals were employees of surveying companies engaged by Shell to inspect the volume of oil loaded onto the vessels which Shell supplied oil to; they allegedly accepted bribes totalling at least USD 213,000.
MPA preliminary investigations revealed that the affected marine fuel was supplied by Glencore Singapore Pte Ltd who later sold part of the same cargo to PetroChina International (Singapore) Pte Ltd.
