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FOBAS: Contaminated Fuels from ARA (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp) Region – An Update

FOBAS has seen a similar contamination case from Ulsan, Korea and a recent case with lower levels of the same contaminants of bunker fuel from Singapore.

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Lloyd’s Register Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) on Thursday (4 August) released a bulletin that it has seen samples of fuels similar to the recent contamination of marine bunkers in the ARA region, in Korea and Singapore. 

Further to our previous bulletin issued detailing contaminated fuels found in the ARA area, we have seen further similar cases which suggests this contamination of marine bunkers in the ARA (mainly in Rotterdam and Amsterdam) region is an ongoing issue. Since our last bulletin, we have also seen a similar contamination case from Ulsan, Korea and a recent case with lower levels of the same contaminants from Singapore.

Detailed analysis on these fuels has shown a range of compounds, more specifically, high levels of phenolic compounds.

The compounds with highest concentrations are Cardanol (also referred to as Ginkgol and other chemical names) and Cardol which are not normally seen in marine fuels. The concentration of these extraneous components ranged from 20,000 to in excess of 140,000 ppm. We do find that phenol related compounds are often linked with fuel pump wear and damage. The exact mechanism may vary, but in general it may be that these chemicals interfere with the usual fuel lubrication of the fuel pump. In the case of the recent fuels tested where Cardanol alone was at >100,000ppm concentration (>10% total fuel), we would expect this to affect the fuel behaviour considerably.

These fuels were also found to have been blended with Estonian shale oils. Although use of shale oil as a blend component is allowed under ISO 8217 specifications, Estonian shale oils have a tendency to fall apart during purification, which leads to sludging issues during purification.

Further investigation continues in order to identify the exact source and intention of these chemicals. 

However, regardless of the source or intention for these chemicals in the fuel, the concern is that some of the vessels using these fuels are reporting operational problems, particularly involving fuel pump wear and damage.

We will continue to investigate these current cases and share any further conclusions regarding the analysis results and operational feedback.

For all vessels bunkering particularly in the ARA region, we would recommend to clarify with the supplier regarding the blend composition of the fuel and a confirmation that the fuel meets the specification of general requirement details in ISO 8217 clause 5 and stipulations of MARPOL Annex VI clause 18.3. As always, the supplier also has a responsibility to ensure no chemical waste/contamination enters the fuel.

FOBAS is proactively alerting our client’s where suspected contaminated fuels are bunkered to run further detailed tests to determine the composition of the fuels.

Related: FOBAS: Contaminated Fuels from ARA (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp) Region

 

Photo credit: Hans Reniers
Published: 5 August, 2022

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Biofuel

Pinnacle Marine and Abo Shoten ink MoU for B100 trial in Singapore

Pinnacle will carry out a 1,000-hour B100 biodiesel trial on an aluminium harbour craft in Singapore; Abo Shoten will contribute funding to support construction and operational expenses of the trial vessel.

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Pinnacle Marine and Abo Shoten ink MoU for B100 trial in Singapore

Singapore-based shipbuilding firm Pinnacle Marine on Wednesday (13 November) said it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Abo Shoten, Ltd. to launch a collaborative research project centred on a full biodiesel (B100) trial.

Pinnacle will carry out a 1,000-hour B100 biodiesel trial on a 16-metre aluminium harbour craft within Singapore’s port waters. Other partners are NTU’s Maritime Energy & Sustainable Development Centre of Excellence (MESD), Weichai Singapore Pte Ltd, and China Classification Society.

“As part of the agreement, Abo Shoten will contribute funding to support the construction and operational expenses of the trial vessel,” Pinnacle said in a social media post. 

“This MOU aligns with Abo Shoten’s Sustainable Development Goals, which emphasise sustainable practices, maritime decarbonisation, and environmental stewardship - principles that closely align with Pinnacle’s commitment to sustainability.”

The MOU was formally signed by the CEOs, Mr. Ren Wada of Abo Shoten and Mr. Fabian Lim of Pinnacle Marine.

“We look forward to continued collaboration with our partner in advancing maritime decarbonisation, including the construction, delivery, and successful operation of this research harbour craft powered by B100 biodiesel in our port waters,” the firm added.

Manifold Times previously reported Pinnacle signing a Research Collaboration Agreement with NTU Maritime Energy & Sustainable Development Centre of Excellence (MESD), Weichai Singapore Pte Ltd, and the China Classification Society.

Related: Biodiesel sea trial to be conducted on harbour craft in Singapore

 

Photo credit: Pinnacle Marine
Published: 14 November, 2024

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Winding up

Singapore: Liquidators set creditors meeting for An Shun Shipping, Dai Hai Shipping

Meetings will be held via videoconference at 11am and 2pm (Singapore time) respectively on 27 November, according to Government Gazette notices.

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Meetings for creditors of An Shun Shipping Pte Ltd and Da Hai Shipping Pte Ltd, which is in liquidation, has been scheduled to take place on 27 November, according to several Government Gazette notices on Wednesday (13 November). 

The meetings will be held via videoconference at 11am and 2pm (Singapore time) respectively. 

The agenda of the meetings will be as follows:

  • To approve the Liquidator’s remuneration plus disbursements with applicable GST incurred in the period of the Company’s liquidation from 21 January 2022 to 30 September 2023; and
  • Any other business.

The details of the liquidators are as follows:

Yit Chee Wah
Liquidator
c/o One Raffles Quay
#27-10 South Tower
Singapore 048583

Note:

  1. Proxies to be used at the meeting must be lodged with FTI Consulting (Singapore) Pte Ltd, via email to [email protected] by 12:00 p.m. (Singapore time) on 26 November 2024. Secured creditors (unless they surrender their security) must give particulars, the date the security was received and its value if they wish to vote at the Meeting.
  2. The Meeting shall be held by videoconference only. Details of the videoconference will be provided to only those creditors, via email, who have registered their interest in attending the Meeting via videoconference.

 

Photo credit: Benjamin Child
Published: 14 November, 2024

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Ammonia

KR and partners to develop safety guidelines for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering

KR, HD KSOE, HD HHI, KSS Line, and Liberian Registry will work together to develop standardised safety procedures that will set international benchmarks for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

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KR and partners to develop safety guidelines for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering

Classification society Korean Register (KR) on Wednesday (13 November) said it has formed a landmark partnership to develop the safety guidelines for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI), KSS Line, and the Liberian Registry.

As the demand for ammonia-fuelled vessels rises, the partnership aims to establish robust safety standards for STS ammonia bunkering, an efficient method for supplying fuel to ammonia-fuelled vessels. 

“The safe bunkering of alternative fuels, like ammonia, requires rigorous risk assessment and the establishment of controlled zones,” KR said in a statement. 

“While standards for LNG and methanol bunkering have already been defined through various international industry standards, ammonia currently lacks relevant guidelines, highlighting the urgent need for the partnership’s research.”

To address this industry need, the five organisations involved will work together to develop standardised safety procedures that will set international benchmarks for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

As part of the initiative, HD KSOE will perform risk assessments aligned with international industry standards, while HD HHI and KSS Line will utilise their expertise and experience in alternative-fuel vessels and ammonia carriers to evaluate controlled zones and safety procedures for ammonia STS bunkering. 

KR will verify the compliance of these safety procedures and issue an Approval in Principle (AIP) certificate. The Liberian Registry, overseeing the world’s largest registered fleet, will further review the validity of these safety procedures.

KIM Yeontae, Executive Vice President of KR’s technical division, said: “With the expected rise in ammonia bunkering demand driven by the construction of more ammonia-fueled vessels, this collaborative effort to establish safety standards is highly significant.”

“Through this partnership, KR is committed to advancing ammonia fuel technology and supporting the industry’s decarbonisation efforts.”

KIM Jungsik, Managing Director of the Korea Office at the Liberian Registry, said, “Just as we observed with the initial adoption of LNG STS bunkering, it is critical to establish regulations and procedures for ammonia as well.”

“Our Innovation and Energy Transition team will thoroughly review the safety protocols and support the development of international standards.”

 

Photo credit: Korean Register
Published: 14 November, 2024

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