The Lloyd’s Register Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) recorded 71 off-spec cases between 1 to 14 March in accordance to ISO 8217:2017 standards, with most cases recorded at Singapore, Rotterdam and Santos port.
Eleven of the 15 off-spec cases at Singapore port relate to the traditional pour point issues found at the republic; these are ‘not a big issue’, according to an earlier interview.
The majority of issues at Rotterdam and Santos ports, meanwhile, were viscosity and density off-specs.
“The [viscosity and density off-specs] issues are off-spec on paper but generally present not much of an operational headache,” a Singapore-based source told Manifold Times on Friday.
“The density parameter is used to calculate volume and quantity of marine fuel. This can be easily overcome with a change in calculation method.
“Most marine engines these days can handle different viscosity levels with ease. It is just some adjustment needed by the engineers on board.
“Nothing alarming.”
Top off-spec bunker ports for the period between 1 to 14 March 2018 are as follows:
| Port | Characteristic | ISO 8217 Limit or Advised Value | Final result | Unit |
| Singapore | Density at 15oC | 0.9909** | 0.9920 | kg/l |
| Singapore | Density at 15oC | 0.9907** | 0.9927 | kg/l |
| Singapore | Density at 15oC | 0.9909** | 0.9920 | kg/l |
| Singapore | Pour point | 0* | 9 | oC |
| Singapore | Pour point | 0* | 6 | oC |
| Singapore | Pour point | 0* | 6 | oC |
| Singapore | Pour point | 0* | 9 | oC |
| Singapore | Pour point | 0* | 9 | oC |
| Singapore | Pour point | 0* | 9 | oC |
| Singapore | Pour point | 0* | 9 | oC |
| Singapore | Pour point | 0* | 6 | oC |
| Singapore | Pour point | 0* | 6 | oC |
| Singapore | Pour point | 0* | 9 | oC |
| Singapore | Pour point | 0* | 9 | oC |
| Singapore | Vanadium | 150* | 171 | mg/kg |
| Rotterdam | Density at 15oC | 0.9909** | 0.9937 | kg/l |
| Rotterdam | Viscosity at 50oC | 377.0** | 404.8 | cSt |
| Rotterdam | Viscosity at 50oC | 352.0** | 405.6 | cSt |
| Rotterdam | Viscosity at 50oC | 380.0** | 398.2 | cSt |
| Rotterdam | Viscosity at 50oC | 699.7** | 731.9 | cSt |
| Rotterdam | Viscosity at 50oC | 178.0** | 189.8 | cSt |
| Rotterdam | Viscosity at 50oC | 380.0** | 404.2 | cSt |
| Santos | Density at 15oC | 0.9878** | 0.9920 | kg/l |
| Santos | Density at 15oC | 0.9888** | 0.9938 | kg/l |
| Santos | Density at 15oC | 0.9898** | 0.9922 | kg/l |
| Santos | Density at 15oC | 0.9898** | 0.9920 | kg/l |
Related: Singapore MGO pour point off-spec cases ‘not big issue’
Published: 23 March, 2018
Problems linked to the inclusion of adulterants that are of non-petroleum refining origin.
Singapore, Rotterdam and Antwerp saw most number of off-spec cases during 2H November show report.
Poll shows market participants think Singapore’s future as a bunkering hub in the near term will be impacted most by growth in alternative bunker fuels and intensifying competition from other ports in Asia.
Report co-developed by DNV and Menon Economics was globally launched on Thursday (13 January) at the SMF New Year conversations 2022 event.
Increase substantially attributed to oil trading & bunkering services segment due to recovery of maritime industry and global oil prices.
‘We still see circumstances where a product is ‘off-spec’ and the holder of the fuel is then trying to move it back ‘on-spec’ through the use of appropriate additive technology,’ says spokesman.
Firm hopes to leverage partnership in Greece as a springboard to expand into neighbouring and overseas markets including Europe and China, says Robin Van Elderen, Regional Head Bunkers, Europe, Sing Fuels.
Singapore can help less developed countries in SouthEast Asia through ‘piloting and scaling fuels and technology as well as a leading hub for green finance’, said DNV Group President and CEO Remi Eriksen.
Octamar™ Ultra HF, Octamar™ Complete, and Octamar™ F35C were found to have improved the fuel economy while reducing exhaust gas and other emissions of marine engines in a series of trials, states report.
Disposal of evidence has resulted in Singapore not being able to provide full details to the United Nationals Panel of Experts which sought information regarding the case, says Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
‘We are proud to be amongst the first to show the successful steps taken by Singapore’s bunkering ecosystem to remain forward thinking and relevant,’ Choong Sheen Mao, Director of EMF, tells Manifold Times.
‘With the launch of a common data infrastructure, Kenoil aims to continue achieving an end to end visibility and transparency on the bunker data supply chain,’ states Kenoil Managing Director.
