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Fuel Waxing: Minimising the Impact on Marine Operations

A serious concern for those handling Marine Fuel is waxing – the formation of wax crystals that can have a variety of negative impacts, shares expert.

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Aderco fuel waxing main photo

Vasco Passanha, Technical Manager EMEA at Aderco, on Monday (20 February) shared the impact of marine fuel waxing in an article on LinkedIn and explained how the phenomenon can be avoided. The following is an excerpt from the article:

A serious concern for those handling Marine Fuel is waxing – the formation of wax crystals that can have a variety of negative impacts.

Vasco explains it is more prone to low viscosity VLSFO fuel due to its higher paraffinic nature and shared how waxing can be minimized through proper temperature management.

Vasco explains “Paraffinic fuels contain a different mix of molecules than more aromatic-based fuels, making them more sensitive to changes in temperature and therefore more prone to waxing. When fuel drops below its Cloud Point (the temperature at which wax crystals can first form), these crystals will Agglomerate together inside the storage tanks, fuel lines and filters, clogging these components up significantly. Engineers will see this in the filters and fuel waxing can also affect the operations of the separator. To counter this issue, it’s imperative that fuel is heated correctly so that the wax crystals are reincorporated correctly back into the fuel blend.”

He continues “The key takeaway here is that when it comes to heating VLSFOs, less is often more. Excessive temperatures should not be used as this can increase costs and may destabilise the fuel creating asphaltenic sludge. As VLSFO is more paraffinic the rules are not the same as HFO and needs a higher temperature than the original suggests to avoid waxing, although a higher viscosity VLSFO can still adhere to HFO temperature guidance.

Usually, a Pour Point plus 10 degrees Celsius should be sufficient in managing fuel temperature and preventing wax build-up within tanks, fuel lines and filters, however, performing a lab test to confirm the exact temperature to operate could save many operational issues.

By sticking within these parameters and making sure all other aspects of storage remain consistent, it should be easier to avoid most issues related to wax build-up in VLSFOs.”

There is an issue, he continues, with ISO 8217 catching up, as the Pour Points were based on HFO, with VLSFO being adopted as the main fuel oil only fairly recently and correct guidance is still catching up.”

The table below has been created by Alfa Laval in June 2019, as a general guide to heating storage tanks and also provides separation temperature to limit operational issues.

Aderco fuel

 “To really understand your fuel, it’s best to test it regularly for determining wax liquefaction temperature. Having it tested in a lab will reveal the correct temperatures to store and handle fuel at its best.”

“One issue” He continues “heating in some storage tanks don’t go above certain temperatures, this might be due to the placement of heating coils, or goods that are being transported etc. Also, wax crystals can exist that can’t be seen, due to temperature being marginally cooler than in the ‘Goldilocks zone’ and then the separator cannot distinguish between sludge and wax crystals and therefore sends waxy fuel to the sludge tank wasting fuel and money.”

So, what can Aderco do? “Although Aderco fuel conditioners can’t help the issue itself, they can clean the engine. Aderco helps to reincorporate and restabilise fuel, post waxing. A good example in which Aderco is applied in this instance is when a ship has to shut off heating before dry dock, treat with Aderco prior, to stabilise, and to help homogenise when vessel comes out of dry dock.”

Note: The original article on LinkedIn can be obtained here.

Photo credit: Aderco
Published: 27 February, 2023

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Winding up

Singapore: High Court to hear Norvic Shipping Asia winding up application on 31 July

Application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to Government Gazette notice.

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RESIZED singapore high court

An application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to a Tuesday (21 July) notice on the Government Gazette.

It noted the winding up application is directed to be heard before the Judge sitting in the General Division of the High Court at 10am on 31 July.

Any creditor or contributory of the company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the winding up application may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose.

A copy of the winding up application will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the company requiring the copy of the winding up application by the solicitors of the applicant’s, Oon & Bazul LLC, on payment of the regulated charge for the same.

The Applicant’s address is Hiridostraat 5, Gebouw Prismatrium, 1101CW Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The Applicant’s solicitors are Oon & Bazul LLC of 103 Penang Rd, #04-04/05/06 Singapore 238467. 

Queries on the winding up application may be directed to the following email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected].

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.

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World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

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HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

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