Malaysia took the top spot for off-spec bunker cases between the period of 15th to 31st July 2018, according to fuel quality data provided by Lloyd’s Register Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS).
The report was prepared to fuel tested in accordance to ISO 8217 6th edition.
Standard ISO 8217 tests will not able to detect issues specifically concerning phenolic compounds found in marine fuel.
FOBAS in late June suggested a ‘quick solution’ to spot contamination of contaminated marine fuel.
The top three off-spec bunker ports for the period between 15th to 31st July 2018 are as follows:
| Port | Characteristic | ISO 8217 Limit or Advised Value | Final result | Unit | ||
| Malaysia | Aluminium + Silicon | 60* | 1009 | mg/kg | ||
| Malaysia | Ash | 0.100* | 0.350 | % Mass | ||
| Malaysia | CCAI | 870* | 915 | Index | ||
| Malaysia | Density at 15°C | 0.9902** | 1.0485 | kg/l | ||
| Malaysia | Total Sediment Potential | 0.10* | 0.22 | % Mass | ||
| Malaysia | ULO | None | None | |||
| Malaysia | Water | 0.50* | 1.25 | % Volume | ||
| Singapore | Aluminium + Silicon | 60* | 79 | mg/kg | ||
| Singapore | Pour point | 0* | 6 | oC | ||
| Singapore | Pour point | 0* | 6 | oC | ||
| Singapore | Pour point | 0* | 6 | oC | ||
| Singapore | Water | 0.50* | 0.90 | % Volume | ||
| St Petersburg | Aluminium + Silicon | 60* | 114 | mg/kg | ||
| St Petersburg | Ash | 0.100* | 0.158 | % Mass | ||
| St Petersburg | Density at 15°C | 0.9907** | 0.9929 | kg/l | ||
| St Petersburg | Total Sediment Potential | 0.10* | 0.2 | % Mass | ||
| St Petersburg | Viscosity at 50°C | 320.0** | 533.2 | cSt | ||
| Juaymah Crude & LPG Terminals | Viscosity at 50°C | 126.0** | 199.5 | cSt | ||
| Juaymah Crude & LPG Terminals | Viscosity at 50°C | 175.0** | 192.5 | cSt | ||
| Juaymah Crude & LPG Terminals | Viscosity at 50°C | 175.0** | 188.3 | cSt | ||
| Juaymah Crude & LPG Terminals | Viscosity at 50°C | 172.0** | 195.4 | cSt | ||
Related: FOBAS: Off-spec bunker fuel cases down at Singapore
Related: U.S. Coast Guard issues bunker safety alert
Related: FOBAS suggests ‘quick solution’ to spot contamination, such as US Gulf bunker issues
Published: 6 August, 2018
Singapore and Rotterdam port saw the most number of off-spec cases over variety of issues in the period.
The Sustainability Whitepaper: Biofuels as Marine Fuel gives an overview of the various types of marine liquid biofuels that are “drop-in” fuel options.
In total, 4.22 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,221,600 mt) of various marine fuels were sold at the world’s largest bunkering port in November.
‘There is now an increased responsibility on the vessel’s crew for housekeeping and fuel treatment compared to a traditional HSFO,’ says Jeroen de Vos.
Lead times for VLSFO stems have tightened by one day this week in Singapore, now requiring 7-10 days, while LSMGO are more readily available at 4-6 days, it said.
Ships bunkered with low flash point fuels are recommended to seek further advice from the respective classification society, flag state, and insurance underwriters.
‘Bunker barges operate in very local areas so these vessels call at port very often which means it will be a good fit for women with families,’ states Elpi Petraki, President of WISTA International.
“Our Singapore branch is under preparation and is expected to start business at the republic before June 2023,” Managing Director Darcy Wong tells bunkering publication Manifold Times in an interview.
Development to supply B35 biodiesel blend officially takes effect on 1 February; local bunker suppliers will be able to deliver updated spec within March onwards, once current stocks of B30 avails run out.
VPS, Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation, Wilhelmsen Ship Management, and INTERTANKO executives offered a multitude of perspectives to 73 attendees during the VPS Biofuels Seminar, reports Manifold Times.
Headway will launch a new fuel supply system suitable for alternative bunker fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia; to focus on procurement and construction of carbon capture systems in 2023 following R&D.
Competition for FAME from aviation and road transportation sectors have resulted in some shipowners resorting to adopt more readily available CNSL blends as biofuel for vessels, explains Steve Bee.
