FOBAS: H1 2025 distinctly characterised by ‘significant’ regional bunker quality failures

Lloyd’s Register’s latest FOBAS Fuel Insight report concluded that the global bunker fuel quality in the first half of 2025 was a period of significant and complex challenges.

While the same historical quality concerns such as cat-fines, stability, sulphur and flash point remain, the period was distinctly defined by a series of acute, regional quality failures that highlighted systemic risks within the supply chain.

The chemical contamination incident in Istanbul which led to severe operational issues, the exceptionally high sediment levels found in Italy, and the cluster of quality problems in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region involving high density and high ash, all point to the ongoing vulnerability of the bunker supply chain to contamination and poor-quality blend components. 

“These major incidents, which occurred alongside routine off-specification results for parameters like sulphur and flash point, underscore the critical importance of diligent fuel management and testing,” FOBAS report said. 

Sustainability and fuel diversity are key trends in the H1 2025 findings. Uptake of FAME-based biofuel blends, notably B30 RF, is increasing across ports including Singapore, Algeciras and Antwerp. This is being driven by regulatory clarity from MEPC 83 and ISO 8217:2024, which confirmed that blends up to 30% are treated as conventional fuels, simplifying NOx compliance. FOBAS testing to date has found no systemic operational issues with these blends, with most quality considerations linked to the conventional fuel components. 

The report also noted a growing shift to direct calorific value measurement, using ASTM D240 Bomb Calorimetry, to more accurately account for the lower energy content of biofuel blends. Early adopters report more precise consumption forecasting, improved voyage planning and reduced cost variability. 

Regulatory change has also continued to shape fuel decisions. From 1 May 2025, the Mediterranean’s designation as a Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA) brought a 0.10% sulphur limit into force, prompting operators to fine-tune fuel management strategies alongside preparations for EU and FuelEU Maritime requirements. 

Usman Muhammad, FOBAS Product Manager, said: “Shipowners today face a more complex fuel landscape than ever before. Our latest findings show that quality remains high and compliance strong, but also that success increasingly depends on proactive testing, data-driven decision-making and close cooperation between suppliers and operators. This approach will be essential as the industry accelerates its transition to low- and zero-carbon fuels.” 

The FOBAS Fuel Insight Programme is a bi-annual series of fuel quality reports, which share the knowledge and experience of the FOBAS team in a comprehensive and easily accessible format. 

Note: To find out more and read the latest FOBAS Fuel Quality Report, go to: FOBAS Fuel Insight: Fuel quality report H1 2025.

Photo credit: Shaah Shahidh on Unsplash
Published: 19 August, 2025