Bunker Fuel

IMO MPEC 81st session to be held between 18 to 22 March

Related to the bunkering industry, further discussions on the economic GHG pricing mechanism and technical bunker fuel standard are expected during MPEC 81 session.

Published

1 year ago

March 18, 2024

Admin

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), 81st session, will meet in-person at IMO Headquarters in London from 18 to 22 March 2024.

Related to the bunkering industry, further discussions on economic GHG pricing mechanism and technical bunker fuel standard are expected during MPEC 81 session.

The following is a preview of what will take place at MEPC 81:

Amongst other key agenda items, MEPC 81 is expected to discuss the implementation of the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy.

The MEPC meeting is preceded by the 16th meeting of the Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 16), from 11-15 March 2024.

MEPC 81 highlights:

Tackling climate change - cutting GHG emissions from ships – implementing the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy - continuing discussions on economic GHG pricing mechanism and technical fuel standard
Energy efficiency of ships - reports on fuel oil consumption
Tackling marine litter – Adoption of amendments on reporting procedures for lost containers / recommendations on carriage of plastic pellets by sea in freight containers
Ballast Water Management Convention implementation - experience-building phase, approval of operational guidelines and adoption of amendments to the BWM Convention
Proposals for Emission Control Areas
Implementation of the Hong Kong Convention on ship recycling
Marine diesel engine replacing a steam system – draft MARPOL Annex VI amendments
Underwater noise reduction - draft action plan to be considered

Tackling climate change - cutting GHG emissions from ships

IMO has developed global regulations on energy efficiency for ships (read more here) and continues to take concrete action to ensure that international shipping bears its fair share of responsibility in addressing climate change. MEPC 80 in July 2023 adopted the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, with a goal of achieving net-zero GHG emissions by or around, i.e. close to, 2050.

Mid-term measures: fuel standard and pricing mechanism

The MEPC will continue to consider proposals on candidate mid-term measures, following discussion in the Intersessional GHG Working Group. The 2023 IMO GHG Strategy commits Member States to developing and adopting (in late 2025): a technical element, namely a goal-based marine fuel standard regulating the phased reduction of a marine fuel's GHG intensity; and an economic element, on the basis of a maritime GHG emissions pricing mechanism.

Proposals under consideration cover both these elements. The latest submissions related to the proposals will be discussed first in the Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 16), which meets 11-15 March 2024.

The MEPC and intersessional group will receive a progress report from the Steering Committee on the conduct of the comprehensive impact assessment of the basket of candidate mid-term measure. The impact assessment is a crucial element to support decision making on the mid‑term measures. The impact assessment, inter alia, considers the following areas: geographic remoteness of and connectivity to main markets; cargo value and type; transport dependency; transport costs; food security; disaster response; cost-effectiveness; and socio-economic progress and development.

A Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships will be established during MEPC 81.

Revised greenhouse gas life cycle guidelines set for adoption

The report of the Correspondence Group on the Further Development of the LCA Framework will be considered. The MEPC is expected to adopt revised Guidelines on life cycle GHG intensity of marine fuels (LCA Guidelines). The LCA guidelines allow for a Well-to-Wake calculation, including Well-to-Tank and Tank-to-Wake emission factors, of total GHG emissions related to the production and use of marine fuels. The updates include revised calculations for default emission factors; updated appendix 4 on template for well-to-tank default emission factor submission; and new appendix 5 template for Tank-to-Wake (TtW) emission factors.

The MEPC is expected to consider TtW (methane) CH4 and (ammonia slip) N2O emission factors and slip values and the need for continuous expert review of such values and emission factors, taking into account the report of the Correspondence Group.

Future work

The MEPC will develop draft terms of reference for further intersessional GHG work, ahead of MEPC 82 (30 September to 4 October 2024).

Energy Efficiency

The MEPC is expected to consider a report on the fuel oil consumption data submitted to the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database (Reporting year: 2022); and the report on annual carbon intensity and efficiency of the existing fleet (Reporting years: 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022).

A Working Group on Air Pollution and Energy Efficiency will be established.

Marine diesel engine replacing a steam system – draft MARPOL Annex VI amendments

The MEPC is expected to adopt draft amendments to regulation 13.2.2 of MARPOL Annex VI on a marine diesel engine replacing a steam system.

Photo and source: International Maritime Organization
Published: 18 March, 2024

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Bunker Fuel

FOBAS: Chemical contamination and operational problems in Istanbul

FOBAS has tested fuel samples from vessels, which bunkered in Istanbul, that have reported problems with fuel injection equipment seemingly caused by a substance sticking and seizing the jerk type fuel pumps.

Published

43 minutes ago

April 30, 2025

Admin

Lloyd’s Register Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) on Tuesday (29 April) released a bulletin regarding testing of fuel samples from different vessels, which bunkered in Istanbul, that have reported problems with fuel injection equipment seemingly caused by a substance sticking and seizing the jerk type fuel pumps:

In recent days, FOBAS has tested fuel samples from different vessels that have reported problems with fuel injection equipment seemingly caused by a substance sticking and seizing the jerk type fuel pumps. These vessels bunkered fuel in March and April this year from Istanbul.

These fuels have been further investigated with extended chemical analysis showing a number of chemical species present with some at very high levels.

Various chemicals were found including 4-Cumyl Phenol and Cyclohexane Diol at high levels. Resin acids and Acrylates were also identified along with unusually high levels of DCPD (Dicyclopentadiene), Indene and trace levels of Tetrachloroethylene.

Not all these chemicals may be contributing to the problems, but they are in a pattern seen in some problem fuels from Antwerp and Rotterdam in 2024 and a number of problem fuels from Houston in 2023 and 2018. Some of these chemicals can polymerise and are used in the manufacture of resins and plastics and may be reacting together under the heat and pressure of the fuel injection system.

These fuels were found to be on-spec based on standard routine analysis. However, there are some particular parameters of note. Viscosity was low at around 40cSt, acid numbers were high (1.50 – 2.50mgKOH/g) and all fuels were VLSFO with sulphur content <0.50%. This low viscosity and high acid number pattern aligns with other contaminated fuels seen in Houston in 2023).

We would suggest that if you have bunkered in the last 2-3 months in Istanbul to be particularly cautious with the use of the fuel. In particular if the fuel has a low viscosity, around 50cSt or lower, high acid number >1.00mgKOH/g or high sediments, we would suggest to discuss further testing options as this problematic fuel may not be isolated to only two vessels.

It should also be noted and suppliers reminded that any fuel purchased against the ISO8217 standard must meet the general requirements of clause 5 as well as limits in the characteristics tables. Clause 5 includes the statement that the fuel should be a “homogeneous blend of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum refining” and be free from any substance or chemical waste that “jeopardizes the safety of the ship or adversely affects the performance of the machinery”.

Photo credit: Hans Reniers on Unsplash
Published: 30 April, 2025

Technology

TFG Marine to launch of ZeroNorth e-BDNs at Port of Sohar after Singapore success

Kenneth Dam announced the successful trial and imminent roll-out of ZeroNorth’s electronic bunker delivery note solution for its customers in the Port of Sohar, in Oman.

Published

44 minutes ago

April 30, 2025

Admin

TFG Marine to launch ZeroNorth e-BDNs at Port of Sohar after success in Singapore

Global marine fuel supply and procurement firm TFG Marine on Tuesday (29 April) announced the company’s successful trial and imminent roll-out of ZeroNorth’s electronic bunker delivery note (e-BDN) solution for its customers in the Port of Sohar, in Oman.

A first for the Middle East region following the successful deployment of the same technology earlier this year by TFG Marine at the Port of Singapore. The eBDN trial in Oman was completed in collaboration with ZeroNorth and SGTraDex, using the Singapore standards as a benchmark.

Kenneth Dam, Global Head of Bunkering, said: "We’re excited to partner with ZeroNorth, Fratelli Cosulich Group Bunkers, SGTraDex and SOHAR Port and Freezone to shortly introduce e-BDNs to our customers here in Oman.”

“This technology, that we have already successfully introduced in Singapore is yet another step in modernising our industry. It will streamline the bunker delivery process, cut administrative burdens, enhance digital documentation and help build a smarter, more connected bunkering sector.”

“We remain committed to establishing e-BDNs as a global standard for bunker fuel delivery and will continue to work closely with port authorities to advocate for and deploy this technology across our operations.”

Dam made the announcement at the Oman Maritime, Ports and Energy Forum, during the panel discussion on The Transformative Power of Data: The Evolving Role of Digitalisation in Shipping and Bunkering.

Dam added the fully digital solution — accessible through TFG Marine’s mobile app and integrated with SGTraDex’s digital infrastructure, — will enable the inclusion of additional data, such as mass flow meter readings during fuel deliveries.

“By integrating this technology, we will drive significant improvements in efficiency, accuracy, compliance, and sustainability across our operations, complementing the global mass flow meter rollout across our fleet and reinforcing TFG Marine’s position at the forefront of the modern bunkering industry,” he said.

Manifold Times previously reported TFG Marine announcing the introduction of ZeroNorth’s e-BDNs for its customers in Singapore during 23rd Singapore International Bunkering Conference (SIBCON) by the end of 2024.

In November last year, TFG Marine announced its first digitalised marine fuel delivery in Singapore using electronic bunker delivery notes (e-BDNs).

Its team supplied VLSFO bunker fuel to Pacific Basin Shipping Limited’s Illovo River bulk carrier, marking the first of four bunkering deliveries that month where this new technology was successfully deployed.

Photo credit: TFG Marine
Published: 30 April, 2025

Biofuel

Hercules Tanker Management vessel “Mount Kibo” takes on B30 bio bunker fuel

HTM said its tanker was successfully supplied with B30 bunkers by tanker “Hercules Sky”, another HTM-owned vessel and operated by Peninsula, marking the first biofuel supply to the HTM fleet.

Published

51 minutes ago

April 30, 2025

Admin

Hercules Tanker Management vessel “Mount Kibo” takes on B30 bio bunker fuel

Hercules Tanker Management (HTM) on Tuesday (29 April) announced that its tanker Mount Kibo has been successfully supplied with B30 bunkers by tanker Hercules Sky, another HTM-owned vessel which is operated by Peninsula.

The operation marked the first biofuel supply to the HTM fleet.

HTM is the shipping venture launched last September by John A. Bassadone, founder and CEO of independent marine fuel supplier Peninsula.

HTM said the operation carried out in the Strait of Gibraltar aligns with the recent discussions at MEPC 83, where key decisions were made to advance maritime decarbonisation, including new fuel standards and a global pricing mechanism for emissions.

“Additionally, this initiative supports the objectives of the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, which promotes the use of renewable, low-carbon fuels and clean energy technologies for ships,” it said.

“By utilising biofuels, we are contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the industry's transition towards cleaner energy solutions.”

Photo credit: Hercules Tanker Management
Published: 30 April, 2025