Bunker fuel testing and marine surveying business Maritec Pte Ltd (CTI-Maritec) on Friday (6 September) said it recently tested VLSFO samples from vessels that took up fuel/bunkered in Malta, and found high concentrations of chemical compounds, that can potentially prove harmful for vessel health:

Findings & Insights:

In the last few weeks CTI-Maritec has tested multiple fuel oil bunker samples from vessels that have taken fuel/bunkered in MALTA and reported operational issues and/or tested to have the presence of high levels of chemical compounds.

Extended Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) testing by ASTM D7845 was conducted for two Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) samples, which showed the presence of high concentrations of acetophenone, phenolic compounds (4-cumylphenol, phenol and others), styrene glycol and phenethyl alcohols. Furthermore, testing by Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) GC-MS technique indicated low levels of bisphenol isomers, fatty acids, long chain fatty acids and dehydroabietic acid. All mentioned compounds are non-hydrocarbons. Our GC-MS analysis also indicated the presence of reactive hydrocarbons like DCPD, Dihydro-DCPD, Styrene and Indene.

The common problems encountered, as reported by the vessels, were sludging, filter clogging and in some instances, fuel pump issues associated with phenolic compounds and phenethyl alcohols.

Due to the high levels of these chemical compounds, the fuels do not meet the general requirement and is considered as off-spec fuel as per clause 5 of ISO8217 and MARPOL Annex VI regulation 18 which states:

“The fuels shall be homogeneous blends of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum refining. This shall not preclude the incorporation of small amounts of additives intended to improve some aspects of performance.”

The fuels shall be free from inorganic acids and from used lubricating oils. The fuel should not include any added substance or chemical waste which,

1. a) jeopardizes the safety of ships or adversely affects the performance of the machinery; or
2. b) is harmful to personnel; or
3. c) contributes overall to additional air pollution.”

CTI-Maritec Recommendations:

CTI-Maritec recommends to:

• Closely observe the vessel fuel system/s for signs of filter clogging and purifier sludging and additionally, increase vigilance on the centrifuges to monitor overloading.
• Increase frequency of their de-sludging cycle depending on the accumulated sludge.
• Possibly reduce the Mean Time between bowl cleaning of the purifier and fuel system filters.
• Avoid blending with other fuels, in particular marine diesel and gas oil and also other fuel oil as such mixing may well increase the sediment problem.

Furthermore, at these levels of concentration of chemical compounds present in fuel oil, there is an increased risk of excessive wear to the vessel’s fuel pump plunger and barrel assembly. Therefore, it is advised to monitor the fuel pump index closely to check for deteriorating performance. As a back-up, ensure there are sufficient spare seals and plunger barrel assembly to replace damaged units if necessary.

In addition, as a precaution, it is advised to closely monitor the performance of the engines while using this fuel to detect any deterioration of the fuel injection equipment performance and the sealing effect of the piston rings.

This document, however, does not reflect on the overall quality of fuel being supplied in Malta. If you intend to bunker in this region, please request for a Certificate of Quality prior to loading.

 

Photo credit: Louis Reed from Unsplash
Published: 9 September, 2024

The clean-up operations from the effects of the 14 June bunker spill in Singapore have been completed ahead of schedule, said Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu. 

The oil spill took place after Netherlands-registered dredger Vox Maxima hit stationary bunker vessel Marine Honour, causing fuel from the bunker vessel’s cargo tank to spill into Singapore waters. 

She said 800 cleaning personnel and 2,300 volunteers were involved in the clean-up effort while 3,750 tonnes of debris were removed. 

“Swimming and primary contact activities have resumed at some beaches. The National Environment Agency (NEA) will continue to conduct water quality tests at remaining affected beaches,” she said in a social media post.

“We hope that water quality will return to safe levels so that swimming and primary contact activities can resume at all beaches soon.”

Manifold Times previously reported Singapore bunker supplier Straits Bunkering and QBE Insurance (Singapore), which uses the brand name British Marine, has taken a step closer in securing liability limitation from the bunker spill.

PSA Corporation will not be contesting the right for Straits Bunkering, owner of bunker tanker Marine Honour, and British Marine to limit their liability, showed documents obtained from the court by Manifold Times.

The latest development paves way for Straits Bunkering and British Marine to limit their liability, whereby a ceiling of 4,510,000 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) valued at approximately SGD 8 million will be deposited by QBE Insurance into a local bank account.

Claims exceeding the liability limitation of Straits Bunkering, owner of bunker tanker Marine Honour, will meanwhile be made against International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund 1992 which has a much higher limit of SGD 362 million.

Note: Latest updates on beach water quality can be found here.

Related: Singapore: Straits Bunkering a step closer in securing SGD 8 million bunker spill liability ceiling
Related: Thirteen deficiencies flagged during inspection for dredger involved in Singapore oil spill
Related: Singapore oil spill: Minister refutes claim that contractor was slow in preventing further spillage
Related: MPA: Claims exceeding liability of “Marine Honour” owner will be made against international fund
Related: MPA: Owner of bunker tanker involved in Singapore oil spill is liable for pollution damage
Related: Malaysia to look into demands of Johor fisherman affected by oil spill from Singapore
Related: Singapore oil spill: Clean-up enters next phase of cleaning rock bunds
Related: MPA: Clean-up ops continue following oil spill in Singapore, affected beaches closed
Related: Singapore: Oil spill cleanup after allision between dredger “Vox Maxima” and bunker tanker “Marine Honour”

 

Photo credit: Facebook/Grace Fu
Published: 4 September, 2024

Private companies responsible for the salvage operation of Greek-flagged oil tanker MV Sounion, which was due to be towed, have concluded that it was not safe to proceed, said EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, an EU military operation in the Red Sea on Wednesday (3 September).

Tanker Sounion has been on fire since 23 August after it was reportedly attacked by Houthis.

EUNAVFOR ASPIDES said due to the large amount of crude oil it carries, Sounion presents a significant environmental threat.

Upon the request of the companies, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES have been protecting the tugs involved in the SOUNION salvage operation since 1 September, aiming to facilitate the prevention of an unprecedented environmental disaster in the region.

“The private companies responsible for the salvage operation have concluded that the conditions were not met to conduct the towing operation and that it was not safe to proceed. Alternative solutions are now being explored by the private companies,” it said in a social media post. 

“EUNAVFOR ASPIDES remains concentrated on its original mandate, acting as a credible EU maritime security provider, aiming to contribute to the freedom of navigation of merchant vessels in its Area of Operation.”

In an earlier post, it said currently, several fires continue to burn on the vessel’s main deck.

“The vessel remains anchored without drifting, and there are no visible signs of an oil spill,” it said.

In an urgent notice from Greece to IMO dated 29 August, a potential spill of about 2.2 nautical miles length was detected through a satellite image obtained in the evening hours of 29 August. 

“Greece urges all nations and all actors involved to assist in preventing the environmental hazard and resolving the solution the soonest possible.” 

Manifold Times previously reported that the US Department of State stating the Houthis’ continued attacks threaten to spill a million barrels of oil into the Red Sea, an amount four times the size of the Exxon Valdez disaster.

The Exxon Valdez oil spill was a man made disaster that occurred when oil tanker Exxon Valdez, owned by the Exxon Shipping Company, spilled 11 million gallons of crude oil into Alaska’s Prince William Sound on 24 March, 1989.

Related: US: Oil spill calamity four times “Exxon Valdez” disaster waiting to happen

 

Photo credit: EUNAVFOR ASPIDES
Published: 4 September, 2024