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FOBAS: Cat fine issues return to Singapore port

Cat fine off specs nothing ‘too concerning’ when taking ISO 8217:2005 into account, says industry veteran.

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Five new cases of aluminium + silicon (cat fine) off spec issues have been recorded at Singapore port for the period between 15th May to 31st May 2018, according to data from Lloyd’s Register Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) data using ISO 8217:2017 as a guideline.

The fuel analysis firm in an earlier report found zero incidences of cat fines and low flash point issues at the republic for the period between 1st May to 14th May 2018.

A report from the similar firm highlighted seven excessive cat fines at Singapore port between 15th and 30th April 2018.

The most recent issues of cat fines were nothing ‘too concerning’, says an industry veteran.

“Most of the bunker contracts at Singapore are based on ISO 8217:2005 standard which specifies a limit of 80 mg/kg for cat fines, while the FOBAS report uses ISO 8217:2017 which states a limit of 60 mg/kg for cat fines,” he explained to Manifold Times.

“The five cases of cat fines recorded by FOBAS are 78 to 81; if you take ISO 8217:2005 standard into consideration the results are nothing too concerning.”

The top three off-spec bunker ports for the period between 15th May to 31st May 2018 are as follows:
 

 Port Characteristic ISO 8217 Limit or Advised Value Final result Unit

 

Singapore Aluminium + Silicon 60* 78 mg/kg
Singapore Aluminium + Silicon 60* 77 mg/kg
Singapore Aluminium + Silicon 60* 79 mg/kg
Singapore Aluminium + Silicon 60* 79 mg/kg
Singapore Aluminium + Silicon 60* 81 mg/kg
Singapore Density at 15oC 0.9908** 0.9930 kg/l
Singapore Density at 15oC 0.9908** 0.9928 kg/l
Singapore Pour point 0* 6 oC

 

Rotterdam Viscosity at 50oC 379.8** 402.9 cSt
Rotterdam Viscosity at 50oC 696.2** 731.8 cSt
Rotterdam Viscosity at 50oC 379.3** 402.7 cSt
Rotterdam Water 0.50* 0.85 % Volume

 

Antwerp Viscosity at 40oC 6.00** 6.0 cSt
Antwerp Viscosity at 40oC 3.50** 6.2 cSt
Antwerp Viscosity at 50oC 699.5** 737.8 cSt

 

Istanbul Viscosity at 50oC 380.0** 408.1 cSt
Istanbul Viscosity at 50oC 380.0** 399.2 cSt
Istanbul Viscosity at 50oC 366.0** 401.6 cSt

 

Paradip Ash 0.100* 0.142 % Mass
Paradip Sodium 100* 244 mg/kg
Paradip Water 0.50* 4.30 % Volume

Off-spec bunker fuel cases in Singapore during April have caused players to question the traceability of oil material, suggesting the issue could be fixed through increased regulation of the entire bunker supply chain.

RelatedINSIGHT: Off-spec issues reveal 'missing piece' of Singapore bunker supply chain
Related: Singapore: Cat fines, flash point off spec issues resolved
Related: FOBAS: Cat fines plagued Singapore off-spec bunkers in April

Published: 8 June, 2018
 

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Milestone

Singapore retains ranking as world’s top maritime centre for 12th consecutive year

Finds report jointly published by the Baltic Exchange and China’s Xinhua News Agency.

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Singapore bunker tankers and sky

Singapore on Friday (11 July) said it has retained its ranking as the world’s top maritime centre, marking the 12th consecutive year it has led the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development (ISCD) Index.

Jointly published by the Baltic Exchange and China’s Xinhua News Agency, the Xinhua-Baltic ISCD Index provides an independent benchmarking of the world’s leading maritime hubs.

It evaluates factors such as cargo throughput, port infrastructure, maritime services (including finance, law and shipbroking), and the overall business environment.

The index is closely monitored by shipping lines, port investors, and maritime service providers to track market competitiveness, and inform investment location and service development decisions.

Singapore retained its top position among 43 maritime cities and regions, underpinned by its consistent performance as one of the world’s busiest transhipment and bunkering hubs, and a well-established ecosystem of professional maritime services and expertise.

In 2024, Singapore handled 41.12 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in container throughput – a record high – and saw total vessel arrival tonnage exceed 3 billion gross tons. The Port of Singapore also remains the world’s largest bunkering port, having supplied 54.92 million tonnes of marine fuel in 2024.

Home to more than 200 international shipping groups and a growing number of maritime technology start-ups, Singapore continues to strengthen its position as a global node for maritime innovation and enterprise.

This growing industry base is also creating new career pathways in areas such as port operations, digital systems management, automation, maritime law, and sustainability – as the sector transforms to meet the needs of a more digital and decarbonised future.

“We thank our industry partners, the research and enterprise community, and our unions who have been instrumental in Singapore’s journey to become a leading international maritime centre and global hub port,” said Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

“We will continue to build on this momentum by innovating and investing in digitalisation, green technologies, and workforce development to strengthen Singapore’s position as a trusted and future-ready international maritime centre.”

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 14 July 2025

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Research

ICCT policy brief explores benefits of global 0.10% sulphur cap on marine fuels

Studies have found ships using scrubbers with heavy fuel oil emit more particulate matter and black carbon emissions than those using marine gas oil.

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ICCT sulphur policy brief

The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) on Tuesday (8 July) introduced a policy brief examining how further reducing the global maximum allowable fuel sulphur content of bunker fuel from 0.5% to 0.1% could affect air pollution emissions and premature mortality from fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

Currently, ships must adhere to a global 0.5% fuel sulphur limit and a 0.1% limit in ECAs, unless they use scrubbers. However, studies have found that ships using scrubbers with heavy fuel oil emit more particulate matter and black carbon emissions than those using marine gas oil.

The brief considered three compliance pathways:

  1. Scrubber Max scenario in which ships that use very-low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO) switch to high-sulfur heavy fuel oil (HFO) with scrubbers to comply;
  2. Scrubber Allowed scenario in which ships that use VLSFO switch to marine gas oil (MGO) to comply;
  3. Distillate Only scenario in which scrubbers are not allowed and ships that use HFO and scrubbers or VLSFO switch to MGO to comply.

In summary, the research found that relative to a baseline scenario based on 2023 ship activity data, reducing the sulphur content of marine fuels to comply with a 0.1% sulphur limit would:

  • Mitigate air pollution. Across the three compliance scenarios, shipping-attributable sulfur oxide emissions are estimated to fall by 75%–85%, PM2.5 by 46%–66%, and black carbon by 27%–41%. The scenario prohibiting scrubbers yields the highest estimated emission reductions.
  • Reduce premature deaths. The three compliance scenarios avoid between 3,900 and 4,500 premature deaths annually, with the most significant reductions achieved when scrubbers are not allowed.
  • Deliver substantial economic benefits. Health-related economic benefits are estimated to range from $9.3 billion to $10.9 billion annually, depending on the compliance pathway.
  • Incentivize cleaner fuels. A global 0.1% sulfur standard that promotes distillate fuel use would increase baseline fossil fuel costs and reduce the price gap between conventional and zero or near-zero greenhouse gas emission fuels.

The complete policy brief Health and air pollution benefits of a global 0.1% fuel sulfur limit  on marine fuels can be obtained from the link here.

 

Photo credit: International Council on Clean Transportation
Published: 9 July 2025

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Research

Integr8 Fuels report shares comprehensive analysis of Mediterranean ECA

Data reveals a market in rapid transition, confirming some industry predictions while uncovering new, emerging risks for ship operators.

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Integr8 Fuels trading intelligence (July 2025)

International bunker trading firm Integr8 Fuels on Monday (7 July) shared its new report ‘Mediterranean ECA: Immediate Operational and Commercial Impact of Implementation’ which provides the first comprehensive analysis of the rule’s effects on fuel quality and regional availability.

The data reveals a market in rapid transition, confirming some industry predictions while uncovering new, emerging risks for ship operators. The following key findings include:

  1. Dramatic Supply Shift Confirmed: VLSFO Availability Contracts Sharply. VLSFO’s share of the Mediterranean fuel market has plummeted from over 60% in December to just 37.5% in May. In parallel, the number of ports supplying VLSFO has fallen by 47%, creating new logistical challenges for vessels that continue to use the grade.
  2. VLSFO Instability Spikes as Supply Chain Adapts. Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) off specification rates more than doubled from 1.5% in December to 3.8% in May. Critically, one in four (25%) of these off-specs were for total sediment potential (TSP), indicating a rising risk of sludge formation that can damage engines. This trend appears linked to extended in-tank storage and the consolidation of older fuel stocks as demand slows and suppliers pivot away from VLSFO.
  3. Persistent Flash Point Risks in Key LSMGO Hubs. Flash point non-conformance has increased significantly and now accounts for over two-thirds of all LSMGO off specs. Our data shows this is not a random problem, with over 75% of all flash point incidents concentrated in Spain, Turkey, and Italy, signalling a persistent potential for SOLAS violations in core supply zones.

Note: The full report may be obtained from Integr8 Fuels here.

 

Photo credit: Integr8 Fuels
Published: 8 July 2025

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