‘Excessive liner wear while using the new VLSFO fuels’ analysed 12 cases of abnormal engine cylinder liner wear out of over 20,000 tested VLSFO bunker samples.

Samples supposed to be ISO-F-RMG380 grade exceeded total sediment limit of 0.1% outlined by ISO 8217 - indicating the fuel to be unstable.

Recommends ships to obtain additional reassurance suppliers adhere to the ISO 8217 requirements when bunkering in Rotterdam.

Unstable fuels caused by high sediments will result in excessive sludge deposition in fuel handling and treatment systems.

9% of low sulphur fuel samples in the Americas analysed between 1 December to 13 January found to be off spec for issues, including engine-damaging sediment, says FOBAS.

For bunker producer/supplier to meet 95% confidence limit, blend target should be the limit minus 0.59R.

A variety of issues, including elevated total sediment potential, were seen from bunker samples at Singapore port.

Bunker congestion at major Mediterranean ports could continue well into 2020 over availability, says analyst.

Using such fuels can result in highly compromised combustion leading to engine and turbocharger damage.

Historic evidence of causing problems due to sludging, particularly during purification and around filters.

Majority of these fuels have been VLSFO and ULSFO fuels which has higher risk of issues with instability.

Singapore, Rotterdam and Antwerp saw most number of off-spec cases during 2H November show report.

Labs now ready to provide additional test to help set an optimum fuel temperature for low viscosity fuels.

‘Most marine fuels will contain extraneous materials of some type or another’ Douglas Raitt shares.

‘The situation now is fuels can have contaminants, but are also still “fit for purpose”,’ says Ara Barsamian, CEO of Refinery Automation Institute.

Marine fuels blended by biodiesel, HSFO and distillates may form biofilm and clog up fuel filters, says LuminUltra.

Fuels with high sediments can result in excessive sludge deposition in tanks, leading to blocked filters.

Singapore and Rotterdam and Antwerp ports saw the most number of off-spec cases over a variety of issues.

Lawyers of the ex-Regional Marine Manager of BP Singapore, the Executive Director of Pacific Prime Trading, and Deputy Public Prosecutors were present at the State Courts on Wednesday.

The Singapore Bunkering license holding entity has been renamed Vitol Bunkers (S) Pte Ltd and from 1 April 2020 all bunker deliveries will be carried out by Vitol Bunkers (S) Pte Ltd.

Seeks to enforce either arbitration clause under contract or to dismiss NuStar and TPP respective liability claims, according to documents obtained by Manifold Times.

‘We are closely monitoring the rapidly developing COVID-2019 situation while remaining committed to working with the bunkering industry to ensure minimal disruption to bunkering operations and services.’

The emergency preparedness exercise involving SCDF, PCG, MPA, and Sinanju was carried out on the LNG dual-fuel bunker tanker at Raffles Anchorage on 17 March, learned Manifold Times.

Manifold Times checks along the bunker supply chain on how various companies are managing operations after the republic entered DORSCON Orange in response to COVID-19.