Bunker Alerts

Bunker Flash: High cat fines found in ARA bunker fuel samples, alerts CTI-Maritec

Out of 22 samples representing both HSFO and VLSFO deliveries in ARA, CTI-Maritec found Aluminium and Silicon concentrations in two samples to be above 100 mg/Kg and in one sample at 68 mg/Kg level.

Published

9 months ago

July 15, 2024

Admin

Bunker fuel testing and marine surveying business Maritec Pte Ltd (CTI-Maritec) on Friday (12 July) issued an alert regarding high levels of Aluminium and Silicon (Al+Si) concentrations — referred to as catalytic (cat) fines —found after testing multiple samples from various bunker deliveries from the ARA region:

Findings & Insights:

From the period of 08 May 2024 to 05 July 2024, Maritec Pte Ltd (hereafter referred to as CTI-Maritec) tested twenty-two samples representing both HSFO and VLSFO deliveries from various suppliers in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region, which showed Aluminium and Silicon (Al+Si) concentrations ranging from 40 mg/Kg up to 177 mg/kg.

Out of the twenty-two samples, CTI-Maritec found Aluminium and Silicon (Al+Si) concentrations in two samples to be above 100 mg/Kg and in one sample at 68 mg/Kg level.

While the rest of the samples fell within the specifications of ISO8217:2005 (80 ppm) and even within the ISO8217:2010/2017 specification (including permitted limits of 72 PPM as per ISO4259 for a single test result), the Cat fines content were still considered at high levels. Many of these samples were also found to have high density, high TSP and high CCAI.

Aluminium and Silicon are main classes of abrasive solids found in fuels. High levels of abrasive particles at the engine inlet may lead to abnormal wear and tear of the fuel system components, piston rings and cylinder liners. To control the maximum amount of catalyst fines delivered to the engine, many engine builders specify a maximum limit of 15 mg/kg of Aluminium plus Silicon at engine inlet.

An efficiently operating fuel purification system is the main way of removing these particles. Measuring the fuel’s Aluminium and Silicon concentrations before and after centrifuge provides an indication of the efficiency of the system in removing catalyst fines.

Due to relatively high TSP, fuels might generate increased sludge formation, especially at the Purifiers and filters. Due to high CCAI, fuels might have ignition and combustion related issues.

Our Recommendations:

CTI-Maritec recommends collecting samples from within the fuel system at points such as the fuel oil tank transfer pump, before and after centrifuge, service tank and after filter samples to check the fuel cleaning efficiency.

This document, however, does not reflect on the overall quality of fuel being supplied in ARA region, if you intend to bunker at this region please request for a Certificate of Quality prior to loading.

Photo credit: Hans Reniers on Unsplash
Published: 15 July 2024

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Bunker Fuel Quality

FOBAS: Off-spec Total Sediment Potential bunker fuels found in Civitavecchia, Italy

FOBAS has tested several samples from Civitavecchia with TSP results exceeding the ISO8217 specification limit of 0.10% m/m; samples were all high sulphur residual fuels.

Published

1 week ago

April 14, 2025

Admin

Lloyd’s Register Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) on Friday (11 April) released a bulletin regarding its testing of several samples of high sulphur residual fuels from Civitavecchia withTotal Sediment Potential (TSP) results exceeding the ISO8217 specification limit of 0.10% m/m:

In recent days, FOBAS has tested several samples from Civitavecchia with Total Sediment Potential (TSP) results exceeding the ISO8217 specification limit of 0.10% m/m. The samples were all high sulphur residual fuels and TSP results ranged from 0.83% m/m to 1.05% m/m.

Further analysis on these fuels suggests a possible mix of both asphaltenes and some extraneous dirt.

Fuels with high sediments can result in excessive sludge deposition in tanks and throughout the handling and treatment/fuel injection systems.

In view of the above, if your ships are planning to bunker in this port, we recommend that suppliers are advised of your concerns regarding the stability of the fuel in the area, and that they provide you with additional reassurance that they will adhere to the ISO 8217 requirements for the grade ordered. Ideally including providing full TSA, TSE and TSP sediment test results.

Additional attention should be given to the collection of bunker samples. It should be ensured that all parties have witnessed the sampling process and have signed witness forms accordingly, and that the supporting documentation includes records of all the samples considered representative of the fuel as loaded.

Photo credit: Louis Reed from Unsplash
Published: 14 April, 2025

Bunker Fuel Quality

FOBAS: Off-spec density found in high and low sulphur residual marine fuels in ARA

FOBAS has tested several samples from ARA region with density results exceeding the ISO8217 specification limit of 991.0 kg/m3for an RMG380 grade fuel.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 8, 2025

Admin

Lloyd’s Register Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) on Monday (7 April) released a bulletin regarding its testing of several samples from ARA (Antwerp, Rotterdam and Amsterdam) with density results exceeding the ISO8217 specification limit of 991.0 kg/m3for an RMG380 grade fuel:

In recent days, FOBAS has tested several samples from ARA (Antwerp, Rotterdam and Amsterdam) with density results exceeding the ISO8217 specification limit of 991.0 kg/m3for an RMG380 grade fuel. The off-spec samples were both high and low sulphur residual fuels with density results ranging from 992.2 to 995.9kg/m3.

Fuels with high density in the ranges seen can most likely still be used however certain precautions would need to be made. The fuel density is particularly important in relation to the operation of onboard purifiers, and although many purifiers are designed to allow use on high density fuels, up to the 1010.0 kg/m3 of an RMK grade, this is still something that would need to be confirmed and any adjustments made as necessary.

From a commercial point of view, the higher Density may represent an over loading, which while not initially as much of a concern as a short loading due to low density is still concern due to the lack of confidence therefore in the bunker quantity measurements.

As ever, attention should be given to the collection of representative bunker samples during any bunkering.

It should be ensured that all parties have witnessed the sampling process and have signed witness forms accordingly, and that the supporting documentation includes records of all the samples considered representative of the fuel as loaded.

Photo credit: Hans Reniers on Unsplash
Published: 8 April, 2025

Bunker Fuel Quality

FOBAS: Off specification sediment fuels from UK Ports Belfast and Fishguard

FOBAS has tested several VLSFO bunker fuel samples from UK ports, Belfast and Fishguard with Total Sediment Potential (TSP) results exceeding the ISO8217 specification limit of 0.10% m/m.

Published

3 months ago

January 20, 2025

Admin

Lloyd’s Register Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) on Friday (17 January) released a bulletin highlighting several VLSFO fuel samples from UK ports, Belfast and Fishguard were found to have Total Sediment Potential (TSP) exceeding the ISO8217 specification limit of 0.10% m/m:

In recent days, FOBAS has tested several samples from UK ports, Belfast and Fishguard with Total Sediment Potential (TSP) results exceeding the ISO8217 specification limit of 0.10% m/m. The samples were all VSLFO fuels and TSP results ranged from 0.22% m/m to 0.29% m/m. Extended analysis indicated these results were due mainly to extraneous dirt.

Fuels with high sediments can result in excessive sludge deposition in tanks and throughout the handling and treatment/fuel injection systems. Furthermore, in certain cases the attempted use of such fuels may result in highly compromised combustion leading to engine and turbocharger damage.

In addition to the above, fuels containing a high amount of extraneous dirt can result in heavy loading on

purifiers which can lower the purifier plant efficiency with respect to removing harmful contaminants such as aluminium, silicon, and / or water. Purifiers should be monitored and operational adjustments made as necessary.

In view of the above, if your ships are planning to bunker in these ports, we recommend that suppliers are advised of your concerns regarding the stability of the fuel in the area, and that they provide you with additional reassurance that they will adhere to the ISO 8217 requirements for the grade ordered.

Photo credit: Louis Reed from Unsplash
Published: 20 January, 2025