The Lloyd’s Register Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) on Wednesday (9 January) issued an alert informing all shipowners and operators of off spec marine fuel oil at Singapore:
In the last week, FOBAS has tested a number of samples from Singapore, which were ordered as ISO-F-RMG380 grade. However, Total Sediment Potential results were unobtainable, with samples failing to filter within the 25 minutes given for the test method. This is evidential of sediment being above the limit as specified in ISO 8217 for an RMG380. Other fuel parameters indicate satisfactory results.
Advised bunker details from respective Bunker Delivery Notes (BDN) as well as FOBAS quality analysis indicate these samples appear to originate from same batch of fuel delivered over a period of time.
Fuels with high sediments can result in excessive sludge deposition in tanks and throughout the handling and treatment/fuel injection systems. Furthermore the attempted use of such fuels can result in highly compromised combustion leading to engine and turbocharger damage.
In view of the above, if your ships are planning to bunker in that region, 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.
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: 4 January, 2019
Marine fuels blended by biodiesel, HSFO and distillates may form biofilm and clog up fuel filters, says LuminUltra.
Real safety concerns: Several ISO-F-RMG380 samples tested with flash points between 35 to 47 degrees Celsius.
Not known exactly how many vessels affected, but the number is estimated to be in the hundreds.
Focuses on the lack of awareness on the importance of recording BDN seal numbers - which protects buyers and sellers in the event of a quality dispute.
Ships bunkered with low flash point fuels are recommended to seek further advice from the respective classification society, flag state, and insurance underwriters.
47% of energy for shipping will be from oil-based fuels by 2050, finds its Energy Transition Outlook – Maritime report.
‘The JMs have failed to discharge their duties by blindly helping the Banks mount a false case against the Defendant,’ wrote defence lawyers representing former IPP Director Dr Goh Jian Hian in court statement.
Lead prosecutor Andreas Myllerup Laursen aims for a fine and a prison sentence in the so-called Syria case scheduled to commence in Odense, Denmark on 26 October, writes the Danish publication.
In a modern re-telling of the story of David versus Goliath, local bunker barge owners/charterers successfully resisted claims brought in the Singapore courts by Phillips 66 for misdelivery of bunkers.
Bunker barge owners and operators; traders and suppliers; banks, including players in other countries, will have to re-examine respective operations, advises Helmsman Associate Director Jonathan Tan.
Vopak BL was a non-essential document with no contractual force and had no effect as a contract of carriage or as a document of title, states written Judgement issued by Singapore Court of Appeal.
Dwivedi Vivek Kumar ended his tenure as Global Head – Bitumen & Shipping & Regional Head – APAC at GP Global APAC on 10 November 2020 due to internal structuring of the GP Global Group.
