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Gard members and clients find chlorinated hydrocarbons in Singapore bunkers

Affected vessels reporting operational problems that may be caused by contaminated bunkers, mostly HSFO, stemmed in Singapore in Q1 2022.

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Bunker tanker sailing in Singapore port

Maritime Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Club Gard on Wednesday (30 March) issued an alert indicating members and clients reporting operational problems that may be caused by contaminated bunkers, mostly HSFO, stemmed in Singapore in the first quarter of 2022:

We refer to Veritas Petroleum Services’ (VPS) Alert No. 05/2022 dated 11 March 2022 reporting that high levels of chlorinated hydrocarbons have been noted in fuel samples of HSFO deliveries from Singapore. While the deliveries were made by different suppliers during this time, the ISO 8217, Table 2 test requirements were met. The presence of contaminants was found during enhanced testing - GC-MS (Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometer), which revealed chlorinated hydrocarbons and organic chlorides. Gard Members can access the VPS Alert here.

VPS advises that the consequences of such contamination include worn out fuel pumps, fuel valve problems and subsequently the main or auxiliary engines failing to start. Gard insured vessels have experienced operational issues that may be related to contaminated stems including blackouts, loss of propulsion, high exhaust temperature deviation and excessive sludging in the fuel system. In some cases, the vessels even required a tow to port. The long terms effect of these contaminants on the machinery, if any, are not yet known.

Subsequent to the VPS alert, Gard also contacted other industry organizations to ascertain if they have had similar experiences. We have not received feedback at the time of drafting this alert although we have been made aware that a number of testing laboratories have published client alerts on this issue that corroborate the VPS findings. We would like to mention that these findings do not reflect the overall quality of bunkers supplied in Singapore.

Given that Gard has experienced a few severe cases of main engine breakdown, we would reiterate some of the recommendations in the VPS alert  as well as Gard’s previous advice on additional testing mentioned in our Insight “Contaminated bunker issue continues to spread” which related to the spate of contaminated bunkers originating in Houston in 2018 and 2019.

Key recommendations

  1. Ship’s crew on vessels that have recently stemmed HSFO bunkers in Singapore should be aware of the possible presence of chlorinated hydrocarbons and the potential effects on the vessel operation. Before using the fuel, owners, operators and charterers may consider seeking assurances from the supplier that the fuel has been tested for chlorinated hydrocarbons and request documentation of the results. At this time, the affected fuel seems to be limited to HFSO, that is, fuel that is intended for consumption by vessels fitted with scrubbers in order to comply with MARPOL sulphur emission standards. This alert does not apply to distillates.
  2. Owners and managers should consider arranging for testing of samples taken before and after the fuel treatment plant to gauge the fuel oil quality at the engine inlet. This will indicate whether the purification system is functioning optimally. It could give early indications of increased engine wear-and-tear and will assist in resolving fuel quality disputes.
  3. On testing requirements for manifold delivery samples, owners and managers can consider ordering investigative analysis, beyond what is required as per Table 2 of ISO 8217, especially when the vessel is experiencing operational issues. Advanced tests such as GC-MS may help to identify contaminants that could cause damage to the main or auxiliary engines.
  4. Owners and charterers should be aware that bunker supply contracts contain various time limits and methods for notification to the bunker provider of problematic fuel. The purchaser should review the bunker sale contract terms and conditions carefully and provide timely notice of operational problems that may be related to the fuel supplied.
  5. Having a constructive dialogue with the bunker suppliers before taking on bunkers to discuss the concerns related to the possible presence of chlorinated hydrocarbons in HSFO can also yield positive results.
  6. Lastly, bunker samples taken at the time of delivery will be relevant evidence that may help to resolve a dispute between owners and charterers regarding the compliance of the fuel supplied as well as between seller and purchaser under the bunker sale contract. For more information please refer to our alertand poster on bunker sampling.

We would like to thank Veritas Petroleum Services for the information. 

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Source: Gard
Published: 1 April, 2022

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Business

VPS introduces new General Manager for Middle East and Africa

Dirk de Bruyn brings experience from Rio Tinto, Shell and recently TotalEnergies, and a range of local, regional and global oil, gas and energy roles across four continents.

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Dirk de Bruyn, General Manager for Middle East and Africa, VPS

Maritime decarbonisation advisory services company VPS on Monday (11 November) announced the appointment of Dirk de Bruyn as the company’s new General Manager for Middle East and Africa.

In this role, Dirk will advance VPS’s business within the region with both new and existing key clients. He will be critical to the growth of both the traditional businesses of marine fuels testing and advisory as well as playing a key role of decarbonisation of the maritime industry.

With experience gained at Rio Tinto, Shell and recently TotalEnergies, and a range of local, regional and global roles across four continents in international oil, gas and energy, Dirk brings extensive experience and knowledge in the energy transition space.

Using his extensive knowledge gained in bunker fuel and lubricants, both from a supplier and end-users’ perspective, Dirk previously led a global team focused on energy transition and decarbonisation.

“The maritime industry is changing quickly with ambitious emissions targets and decarbonisation requirements driving the introduction of new technologies and fuels into the market,” said Dr. Malcolm Cooper, CEO of VPS.

“In this dynamic landscape, we are very pleased to have Dirk on board to help VPS customers optimise their operations by understanding which new fuels to use and how to adapt to these sustainable business drivers and meet new regulations.

Dirk noted: “Whilst the industry is rightfully focussed on the path towards Net Zero, we must ensure we do not take our eye off the ball on the operational risks posed by traditional fuels.”

“Energy Transition and the path towards Net Zero is an evolving landscape. With the change in fuel types and the introduction of future fuels, it is important to provide advice and guidance to our customers whilst taking into consideration the differences in legislations.

“VPS leads the way with their technology in biofuels as well as methanol testing which is a key component to reducing our clients emissions and helping them in their journey towards Net Zero. I am excited to be part of this journey with VPS’ with an industry who is focussed on fuel transition.

“With over forty years of knowledge and experience in the marine industry, and a wide range of advanced Digital Decarbonisation platforms such as PortStats, Maress, BOND and Emsys, I have found that our team is filled with experience and determination and I look forward to adding mine into the mix.”

 

Photo credit: VPS
Published: 13 November 2024

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Business

Bunker fuel trading firm Shipergy achieves International Sustainability and Carbon Certification

ISCC certification assures Shipergy’s marine fuel offerings meet sustainability, GHG reduction, and traceability standards – aligning with upcoming FuelEU Maritime.

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Resized Shipergy logo

London-based provider of marine fuel solutions Shipergy on Monday (11 November) said it has achieved International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC).

The ISCC certification provides assurance that Shipergy’s fuel offerings meet rigorous sustainability, greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, and traceability standards – aligning with the EU’s upcoming FuelEU Maritime regulation effective 1 January 2025.

This regulation mandates progressive reductions in GHG intensity across all energy sources used by ships within EU waters. By achieving ISCC certification, Shipergy is now positioned to help its customers meet these regulatory standards while supporting the broader decarbonisation of the maritime sector.

“Achieving ISCC certification is a testament to Shipergy’s dedication to advancing sustainable practices in the maritime industry,” said Daniel Rose, CEO of Shipergy.

“With FuelEU Maritime on the horizon, we are proud to offer our customers a reliable source of certified sustainable fuels, enabling them to navigate the changing regulatory landscape confidently and responsibly.”

Related: Marine fuel trading firm Shipergy secures USD 15 million credit facility with DNB Bank
RelatedShipergy to set up new Singapore regional hub in major recruitment drive
RelatedSignal Group launches tech enabled bunker procurement company Shipergy
RelatedShipergy reports more than 60 bunker procurement transactions since launch
RelatedShipergy to leverage OpenAI’s ChatGPT in AI-powered, bunker fuel market report

 

Photo credit: Shipergy
Published: 13 November 2024

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Yinson GreenTech and Zeabuz to develop autonomous, remote-controlled electric marine vessels

Collaboration aims to integrate Zeabuz’s hardware and proprietary software algorithms into Yinson GreenTech’s marinEV fleet of electric vessels.

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Yinson GreenTech and Zeabuz to develop autonomous, remote-controlled electric marine vessels

Yinson GreenTech and autonomous maritime technology company Zeabuz have signed a Letter of Intent to integrate autonomous and remote-control capabilities into Yinson GreenTech's fleet of marine electric vessels.

This collaboration was formalised at the Singapore Norway Innovation Conference on 6 November. It marked a significant step towards decarbonising Singapore's maritime industry by combining the power of electrification and autonomous maritime operations.

The collaboration aims to deliver more efficient marine solutions by integrating Zeabuz's hardware and proprietary software algorithms into Yinson GreenTech's marinEV fleet of electric vessels.

Critically, by combining autonomous driving technology with electric marine vessels, this collaboration will address the maritime industry's long-term manpower challenges. It will reduce the number of crew members required onboard, making maritime operations more efficient.

Additionally, it will enhance the attractiveness of maritime jobs by introducing new, knowledge-based skillsets like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and remote operations. This aligns with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore's (MPA) Industry Transformation Map, particularly its focus on digitalisation.

“To fulfil Yinson GreenTech's broader vision of building a net-zero world, marinEV believes in harnessing the power of sustainable innovation through strategic partnerships," said Jan-Viggo Johansen, Managing Director of marinEV.

“Our collaboration with Zeabuz marks a significant step towards accelerating the adoption of autonomous solutions, which will not only enhance the safety and efficiency of maritime operations but also significantly reduce our environmental impact on waterways.”

“By combining the power of electrification, onboard autonomy, and remote supervisory control, we are laying a strong foundation for the future of sustainable maritime operations,” said Øyvind Smogeli, CEO and Co-Founder of Zeabuz.

“We are excited to deepen our collaboration with Yinson GreenTech to build a future of sustainable, technology-driven marine transport.”

 

Photo credit: Yinson GreenTech
Published: 12 November 2024

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