The below is an industry alert from Lloyd’s Register Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) published on 6 April:
In the last week, FOBAS has tested a number of samples from Singapore, which were ordered as ISO-F-RMG380 grade however tested flash points were below the 60°C SOLAS minimum limit. Tested results range from 35 to 47 °C. Due to the results well below the SOLAS limit, there can be real safety concerns.
As a first step for any vessel having bunkered fuel with a low flash point, it is recommend that vessel should contact ship?s flag State, insurance underwriters and classification society immediately for further advice. Secondly, best practice safety guidelines should be followed to reduce the potential risk due to low flash point fuel.
If your ships are planning to bunker at this port we recommend that suppliers are advised of your concerns regarding the flash point of the fuel and that they provide you with additional reassurance that they will meet the ISO 8217 requirements for the grade ordered.
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.
Published: 11 April, 2018
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