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BIMCO ‘concerned’ on IMO suggestion to amend sulphur testing and sampling regulation

New suggestion can cause confusion between the ship, bunker supplier, time charter etc, especially if the testing results turn out to be different, said BIMCO.

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Christian Bækmark Schiolborg, Manager, Marine Environment at BIMCO on Monday (16 November) published an article explaining why BIMCO is ‘concerned’ with the proposed procedure for ‘On board sampling’ to be used in determining compliance with sulphur regulations as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) prepares to discuss amendments to MARPOL Annex VI this week:

While shipowners have been focused on the 2020 sulphur regulation which entered into force on 1 January 2020 due to safety concerns, IMO members states have had their eyes on the procedures that control whether ships are carrying low-sulphur fuel oil in accordance with the new regulations.

In connection with the amendments to MARPOL Annex VI a few definitions will come in handy:

  •  In-use sample, defined as the sample of fuel oil in use on a ship. It can for example be drawn from the fuel oil line between the service tank and an auxiliary engine.
  •  On board sample, defined as the sample of fuel oil intended to be used or carried for use on board a ship. It is drawn directly or indirectly from fuel oil tanks.

According to the new regulation, authorities including Port State Control are thus given explicit authority to draw oil samples from the ship’s fuel oil tanks.

BIMCO is concerned with the suggested procedure for ‘On board sampling’ to be used for determining if the ship is in compliance with the sulphur regulation, since the only truly homogenous and representative fuel oil sample is the MARPOL sample (MARPOL delivered sample). The new suggestion could cause confusion and uncertainty between the ship, bunker supplier, time charter and other stakeholders, especially if the testing results turn out to be different, BIMCO believes.

Direct samples drawn through the sounding pipe or the manhole cannot in BIMCO’s view be considered homogenous and representative for the sulphur content in the fuel oil tank. This is recognised (but also disregarded) in the circular on early application of the verification procedures for a MARPOL Annex VI fuel oil sample (MEPC.1/Circ.882 ):

“The in-use or on board fuel oil sample, as appropriate, shall be used to verify the sulphur content of the fuel oil as represented by that sample of fuel oil at the point of sampling.”

This means that a fuel oil sample drawn by PSC is only representative of the fuel oil at the level or point of suction, but not representative of the fuel oil in the tank.

Indirect samples drawn by using the fuel oil transfer pump, cannot be used either, since the sample is not homogenous and representative of the sulphur content in the tank. Since the transfer pump’s suction is placed in the bottom of the fuel tank, BIMCO fears that such samples would show wrong results even if the sulphur content of the fuel oil is actually compliant.

This leads to the fact that the only fuel sample truly homogenous and representative of the sulphur content that is available today, is the MARPOL sample because it is drawn over the entire bunker operation.

Safety concerns in case of direct sampling from fuel oil tanks

A normal fuel oil tank only has two openings, the manhole, for inspection when the tank is empty, and the sounding pipe. Fuel oil tanks on existing ships are not constructed with designated sampling points.

The manhole should never be opened while there is fuel oil inside the tank. Fuel oils are stored at high temperatures and it is consequently unsafe for the people taking the sample.

The MARPOL (delivered) sample is still essential

The statutory fuel verification procedure for MARPOL Annex VI fuel oil samples is being updated to include the new fuel oil samples and making the text of the circular on early application of the verification procedures for a MARPOL Annex VI fuel oil sample mandatory. 

More information can be found here interpretation of the discord between MARPOL and commercial fuel samples.

Compared to the current verification procedure, MARPOL (delivered) samples will in the future be tested without taking the Reproducibility (R) of the test method into consideration. This means there will be no test margin and thus, the test result of a MARPOL sample (average of two tests by the same laboratory) must not exceed 0.50% m/m sulphur.

For ‘In-use’ and ‘On board’ samples, the Reproducibility (R) of the test method, in accordance with ISO 4259-2:2017, should be taken into consideration when assessing whether the test result is acceptable or not. This means that the test result, from the fuel oil samples drawn by PSC, shall be considered acceptable if the sulphur content does not exceed 0.53%.

This small but essential difference between the verification procedure for MARPOL samples and samples drawn by PSC was agreed by IMO deliberately. The difference is intended to ensure that ships are not unfairly penalised for marginal exceedances due to factors outside the ship’s control. Time will show if this is sufficient to avoid that different conclusions are drawn from the different types of samples.

In the end we should not forget that it is still the responsibility of the supplier to deliver fuel oil which is compliant with the statutory sulphur content limits i.e. 0.50% or 0.10% m/m.


Photo credit: International Maritime Organisation
Source: BIMCO
Published: 18 November, 2020

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Bunker Fuel

TMD Energy becomes first Malaysian bunker supplier to list on NYSE American

Straits Energy Resources’ subsidiary announces that its shares have been listed on 21 April, becoming the first Malaysian marine bunker supplier to achieve a listing on a major US exchange.

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TMD Energy Limited (TMD Energy), a Malaysia and Singapore-based provider of integrated marine bunkering services and a Straits Energy Resources Berhad (SER) subsidiary, on Tuesday (22 April) announced that its shares have been listed on 21 April and began trading on the NYSE American under the ticker symbol “TMDE”.

Dato’ Sri Ron Ho Kam Choy, Chairman, Executive Director, and Chief Executive Officer of TMD Energy, said: “We are proud to become the first Malaysian marine bunker supplier to achieve a listing on a major US exchange, reinforcing our position as one of the industry’s leading players.

“Leveraging Malaysia’s strategic location along major shipping routes including the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea, as well as resilient demand for bunker fuel in the region and globally, we are well positioned for further expansion. On top of that, TMD Energy is also the first Malaysian company to list on the NYSE American.

“Our listing in NYSE American will help us to enhance our international profile, expand our reach, capture new markets, and deliver sustainable, higher returns to our shareholders.”

TMD Energy’s share price opened at USD 3.26 on Monday, rising to an all-time high of USD 4.12 on its market debut before closing at USD 3.63, which was 11.69% higher than its initial public offering (IPO) price of USD 3.25 per share. This gave the company a market capitalisation of USD 83.85 million (equivalent to approximately MYR 367.2 million) on its first day as a publicly listed company.

TMD Energy’s IPO was priced at USD 3.25 per share, and total gross proceeds (excluding the over-allotments) before deducting underwriting discounts and other related expenses were approximately USD 10.08 million (equivalent to approximately MYR 44.13 million). 

Proceeds from the IPO will be used for the purchase of cargo oil; defraying listing expenses; and working capital and other general corporate purposes.

The company has granted the underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to an aggregate of 465,000 additional shares to cover over-allotments at the IPO price, If the underwriter exercises their option to purchase the additional shares in full, the total gross proceeds before deducting underwriting discounts and other related expenses from the offering are expected to be approximately USD 11.59 million.

Dato’ David Yoong Leong Yan, Executive Director of TMD Energy, said: “Our debut on the NYSE American is a key milestone in our journey of growth. While continuing to drive strong organic growth, as part of our strategic growth initiatives, we remain focused on identifying and pursuing strategic mergers and acquisition opportunities that align with our long- term vision and strengthen our regional presence.”

Manifold Times previously reported SER announcing its proposal to list its oil bunkering segment via the listing and quotation of the ordinary shares in its 76.68%-owned subsidiary, TMD Energy, on the New York Stock Exchange American (NYSE American).

TMD Energy and its subsidiaries (TMD Energy Group) are mainly involved in marine fuel bunkering services specialising in the supply and marketing of marine gas oil and marine fuel oil to various types of ships and vessels at sea. In addition, the company provides vessel chartering services and vessel management services.

TMD Energy Group operates in 19 ports across Malaysia, with a fleet of 15 well-maintained bunkering vessels with capacities ranging from 540 dwt to 7,820 dwt, of which nine are double-bottom and double-hull vessels with an average cargo-carrying capacity of 4,200 dwt each. Its customers include ship owners and operators, shipping lines, logistics and freight companies, as well as oil and gas traders or brokers. 

TMD Energy’s growth strategy includes expanding its market presence across Southeast Asia, growing its bunkering fleet, providing ship management services to external customers and diversifying its fuel offering to include eco-friendly alternative fuels such as biodiesel.

TMD Energy is part of SER, a Fortune Southeast Asia 500 company listed on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities. 

Related: Malaysia: Straits Energy plans to list subsidiary TMD Energy on NYSE American

 

Photo credit: TMD Energy
Published: 22 April, 2025

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LNG Bunkering

New MOL vessel to be supplied LNG bunker fuel in Japan before voyage to Australia

After departing from Saijo Shipyard, LNG fuel will be supplied directly to “Verde Heraldo” through shore-to-ship bunkering at Senboku Terminal of Osaka Gas, and is then scheduled to sail for Australia.

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New MOL vessel to be supplied LNG bunker fuel in Japan before voyage to Australia

Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) on Friday (18 April) said the naming and delivery ceremony for the LNG-fuelled Capesize bulker, which MOL ordered for JFE Steel Corporation, was held at the Saijo Shipyard of Imabari Shipbuilding. 

The vessel was named the Verde Heraldo, which means “Green Pioneer” in Spanish, by JFE Steel President and CEO Masayuki Hirose. MOL executives including President & CEO Hashimoto were also on hand for the ceremony.

After departing from Saijo Shipyard, LNG fuel will be supplied directly to the vessel through shore-to-ship bunkering at the Senboku Terminal of Osaka Gas, and is then scheduled to sail for Australia.

The Verde Heraldo will sail under long-term transport contracts to supply raw materials for JFE Steel's mills, providing both reduced environmental impact and safe and reliable marine transport services.

About Verde Heraldo

LOA: 299.99 m
Breadth: 50.00 m
Draft: 18.436 m
Deadweight tonnage: 210,321 tonnes
Shipyards: Imabari Shipbuilding and Nihon Shipyard 

 

Photo credit: Mitsui OSK Lines
Published: 22 April, 2025

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Business

ENGINE: Adverse weather keeps bunker operations suspended in Zhoushan’s OPL area

Bunker deliveries at Zhoushan’s Tiaozhoumen and Xiazhimen outer anchorages have been suspended due to rough weather; some suppliers expect to fully resume operations in OPL area by 22 April.

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Zhoushan Port Anchorage

Bunker deliveries at Zhoushan’s Tiaozhoumen and Xiazhimen outer anchorages have been suspended since Saturday due to rough weather, according to a source on Monday (21 April). 

However, bunker operations have resumed this morning at Zhoushan’s more sheltered Xiushandong anchorage and the inner anchorage of Mazhi.

The port is currently experiencing strong wind gusts of 24–27 knots and swells approaching one meter.

Several suppliers expect to fully resume bunkering operations in the OPL area by tomorrow (22 April), the source said.

By Tuhin Roy

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 22 April, 2025

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