Business

Bunker Flash: Organic Chloride Compound Detected in Singapore Bunkers

Source of theses organic chlorides could be from chemicals used in engine air coolers and cleaning agents used in the dry-cleaning industry.

Published

4 years ago

March 17, 2022

Admin

Marine fuel testing and marine surveying business Maritec Pte Ltd (CTI-Maritec) on Wednesday (17 March) issued an alert regarding organic chloride compound detected in Singapore bunkers:

Issued on 17 March 2022

Maritec Pte Ltd has tested several samples representing HSFO deliveries from 04 -13 Mar 2022 in Singapore, detecting Chlorinated Organic Compound by GCMS test method. The product tested had1-2-Dichloroethane ranging 1955 ppm –3753 ppm & Tetrachloroethylene ranging 127 ppm –217 ppm. These samples are also marginally stable using test method SMS 1600 between 1.00–1.10, which may cause excessive sludging.

Source of theses organic chlorides could be from chemicals used in engine air coolers and cleaning agents used in the dry-cleaning industry and should not be present in bunker fuels at these levels.

There has been a reported case of Purifier Sludging, Filter clogging and fuel pump damages among the samples tested.

With a high concentration of chlorinated compounds, this is an indication for the presence of residual chlorinated degreasing/cleaning solvents in bunker fuel which will cause excessive wear to fuel pump plunger and barrel assembly. Please monitor the fuel pump index closely to check for deteriorating performance. Ensure there is sufficient spare seals and plunger barrel assembly to replace damaged units if necessary.

The P-value of an oil gives information on stability and stability reserve. A higher P-value indicates that the oil is more stable with respect to flocculation of asphaltenes. Please find table below.

Maritec TSP table 1

Unstable fuel will form excessive sludge concentrations in tanks and can choke purifiers, filters, fuel injection equipment and even the fuel lines. Under such conditions fuel treatment is often impossible and even transfer becomes problematic. Particularly in the case of thermally unstable fuels where problems manifest in the filters, purifiers, and fuel service system heaters.

It is advisable to carefully observe the vessel fuel system for the above signs and conduct further GCMS testing by ASTM D7845 & assess the stability of the fuel further by SMS 1600 as pre-emptive measures. In cases where a ship suspects the specific fuel in use on board is the possible cause of the operational problems, applicable evidence should be gathered to support further investigation. Such evidence includes but is not limited to logging the case in detail, collecting further in-use fuel system samples, documenting the evidence leading up to, during and after the operational problems were experienced as well as any mitigating actions taken.

This document however does not reflect on the overall quality of fuel being supplied in Singapore, if you intend to bunker at this region, Maritec Pte Ltd can also assist you in with further information on quality of bunkers tested in different regions. If you require any other information or assistance do not hesitate to contact your Maritec Sales Representative.

Photo credit and source: CTI-Maritec
Published: 17 March, 2022

Winding up

Singapore: Notice of intended dividend issued for Xihe Holdings’ subsidiaries

Creditors will need to produce proofs of debt to liquidators of Da Xin Tankers and Nan Chiau Maritime by 5 August, according to Government Gazette notice.

Published

1 hour ago

July 23, 2026

Admin

Two notices to declare the intended dividend of Xihe Holdings’ subsidiaries to their creditors have been posted on the Government Gazette on Wednesday (22 July).

The subsidiaries are Da Xin Tankers Pte Ltd and Nan Chiau Maritime Pte Ltd.

The following are the details of the notices of intended dividend:

Name of Company : Da Xin Tankers (Pte) Ltd (In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation)
Unique Entity No. / Registration No. : 198400895W
Address of Registered Office : c/o Grant Thornton Singapore Private Limited, 8 Marina View, #40-04/05 Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960
Last Day for Receiving Proofs : 5 August 2026 at 5:00 pm by email to [email protected]
Name of Liquidators : Paresh Tribhovan Jotangia and Ho May Kee
Address : c/o Grant Thornton Singapore Private Limited, 8 Marina View, #40-04/05 Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960

Name of Company : Nan Chiau Maritime (Pte.) Ltd. (In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation)
Unique Entity No. / Registration No.: 200814296Z
Address of Registered Office : c/o Grant Thornton Singapore Private Limited, 8 Marina View, #40-04/05 Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960
Last Day for Receiving Proofs : 5 August 2026 at 5:00 pm by email to [email protected]
Name of Liquidators : Paresh Tribhovan Jotangia and Ho May Kee
Address : c/o Grant Thornton Singapore Private Limited, 8 Marina View, #40-04/05 Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960

Photo credit: steve pb from Pixabay
Published: 23 July, 2026

Biofuel

South Korea: S-Oil launches B30-VLSFO bio bunker fuel supply

Company says it has established an integrated operating system in the Ulsan region covering the entire value chain, from feedstock procurement and blending to supply.

Published

1 hour ago

July 23, 2026

Admin

South Korea: S-Oil launches B30-VLSFO bio bunker fuel supply

South Korean petroleum and refining company S-Oil on Wednesday (22 July) said it has started supplying B30 very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO), as the company seeks to support shipping’s decarbonisation efforts and growing demand for lower-carbon bunker fuels.

The company said its B30 VLSFO contains 30% sustainable biofuel blended with conventional VLSFO and can be used without requiring modifications to existing vessels, enabling shipowners to comply more readily with emissions regulations from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the European Union (EU).

S-Oil said it has established an integrated operating system in the Ulsan region covering the entire value chain, from feedstock procurement and blending to supply. The system combines VLSFO produced at its Onsan refinery with biofuel production facilities and storage infrastructure in the Ulsan region, allowing the entire process to be carried out within a single logistics hub.

According to the company, the integrated supply chain reduces transportation requirements during production while improving supply efficiency and reliability.

S-Oil also highlighted Ulsan Port as a strategic location for marine biofuel supply, noting the port has strong demand for bio-bunker fuels, particularly from car carriers, enabling prompt and stable deliveries to key customers.

An S-Oil official stated: “In the bio-marine fuel market, not only product quality but also securing a stable supply of raw materials and an efficient supply system are important competitive advantages.

“Based on our existing bunkering business capabilities and the excellent supply infrastructure in the Onsan area, we plan to supply stable and competitive low-carbon fuel.”

Photo credit: S-Oil
Published: 23 July, 2026

Decarbonisation

Yang Ming and PSA to develop integrated sea-land decarbonisation solutions

Both will explore solutions spanning emissions measurement and verification, a digital Book-and-Claim framework, and a joint maritime-land inset token package.

Published

1 hour ago

July 23, 2026

Admin

Yang Ming and PSA to develop integrated sea-land decarbonisation solutions

PSA International (PSA) on Monday (20 July) said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation (Yang Ming) to jointly accelerate the adoption of low-carbon solutions across the maritime value chain.

Beyond emissions measurement and verification, the collaboration will focus on a digital Book-and-Claim framework and a joint maritime-land based inset token package.

“This synergy provides cargo stakeholders with a transparent and accountable sea-land pathway to achieve their decarbonisation targets,” PSA said on its website.

Yang Ming launched the green transport service, EcoSea+. This initiative integrates Yang Ming’s low-carbon navigation capabilities to empower customers with a flexible and transparent strategy to effectively reduce their Scope 3 transportation emissions. By joining forces with PSA, Yang Ming is able to expand the impact of these sustainability actions beyond the ocean.

Building on its position as a global port operator, PSA advances its Node to Network strategy through integrated port and supply chain capabilities that enable a green network of terminal and landside operations to reduce end-to-end supply chain emissions.

The agreement was officially signed by Mr Ivan Chiang, Chief Logistics Officer & Senior Vice President of Yang Ming, and Mr Eddy Ng, Group Head of Operations, Technology and Sustainability of PSA International.

Mr Ong Kim Pong, PSA International Group CEO, said, “As responsible stewards of tomorrow, PSA is committed to delivering sustainable impact across the global port and supply chain ecosystem.

“Tackling the challenges arising from climate change will require the collective efforts of all players in the maritime supply chain sector. We are excited to partner Yang Ming on the decarbonisation of global supply chains and support the transition towards a more sustainable global economy.”

Photo credit: PSA International
Published: 23 July, 2026