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Integr8 Fuels: Are bunkers too easy a target when problems alleged onboard vessels?

Problem fuels do exist and can result in difficulties, but without adequate precautions even an on specification VLSFO has the potential to cause damage, it advises.
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Integr8 Fuels, the bunker trading and brokerage arm of Navig8, on Wednesday (22 July) published an article outlining other often overlooked factors that could damage components onboard vessels apart from bunkers; it was written by Chris Turner, Global Manager for Quality and Claims:

Prior to IMO 2020 there was a lot of conjecture mingled with a fair spattering of trepidation as to the perceived level of quality issues we would see with many stakeholders suggesting significant problems were on the horizon using analogies of our old foe 1% Sulphur LSFO and the relatively recent Houston problem among others.

Overview

As it happened and as widely reported many of these gloomy predictions did not come to pass, Q1 2020 passed with all stakeholders relatively unscathed despite the new world of a patchwork quilt of VLSFO qualities. Things have changed more recently however with ARA being thrust into the spotlight as a result of high TSPs and an increase in the prevalence of Estonian Shale Oil in VLSFO blends.

Circumstances of high TSP of course allow the buyer to lodge a claim against the seller given the value exceeds a maximum contractual guarantee however what has become apparent is an increasing frequency of fuels that appear on specification to Table 2 parameters of ISO 8217 yet have been alleged to have caused fuel management related issues as well as equipment component damage.

Curiously still,many of these fuels when examined forensically have been found not to contain any sinister contaminants and do not correlate with a “problem” fuel according to testing experts.

Food for thought

It would of course be remiss of us to not acknowledge that problem fuels do exist and can result in difficulties or damage onboard vessels, however it is important to make the point that without adequate precautions even an on specification VLSFO has the potential to cause damage.

This is nothing new, indeed HSFO routinely contained 30 to 60mg/kg of Aluminium and Silicon (cat fines). Even these levels of abrasive catfines would have to be removed to below 15mg/kg by purification and of course if this was not efficient or effective then harmful particles could reach the engine resulting in catastrophic damage to cylinder liners etc.

Indeed whilst catfines are generally lower in VLSFOs almost a quarter of all VLSFOs however in Singapore for example still have catfines of greater than 40mg/kg and still require extensive purification.

This should not be too difficult a task given the lower density and viscosity of VLSFOs when comparing to HSFO but it is vital to remember that purifiers still need to be set up correctly considering the pour point of the fuel as well as its density and viscosity.

It is also entirely possible that the reason for a chocked purifier may be as a result of mixing with previous ROB, not in the storage tank – as this is hardly ever noted these days – but in the settling tank itself.

VLSFO’s also require to be injected at the correct viscosity, generally speaking most OEMs require a viscosity of 12cSt at the engine inlet. Indeed it may be that in extreme cases of low viscosity that this may not be possible to achieve without a cooler being employed or without being in close proximity of the pour point if it is waxy.

Finally, an increasingly new and important area of focus is engine lubrication and an increase in engine wear which may result should this not be optimized to the new fuels.

Prior to IMO 2020 It was well publicized that as an Industry we would have to move to a lower Base Number (BN) Cylinder Lubrication Oils (CLOs) given prolonged running on 0.5% Sulphur fuels however what appears to have developed is a pattern of vessels suffering major engine damage since switching to VLSFO despite also all switching to BN 40 CLOs and all fuels meeting the ISO 8217 specification.

Evidence has been published of red tinged piston tops and abrasion as a result of calcium deposits which have not been removed due to the reduced detergency of BN 40 CLO’s.

Indeed you could argue that some of these issues were foreseen as early as March 2018 when MAN indeed recommended the introduction of Cermet (Chromium) coated piston rings at next overhaul given their experiences with ULSFOs. MAN have also issued a number of service letters in recent months describing the benefits including providing a “seizure resistant surface against the liner.. avoiding micro seizures and lowering scuffing risks”

Conclusion

Therefore all things considered, whilst it is absolutely prudent to put the fuel supplier on notice of alleged damage at the earliest opportunity so as to avoid the robust time bar clauses in the bunker contract we must not lose sight of the fact that these issues may well be as a result of other factors rather than the fuel itself.

It is therefore important to go into every investigation with an open mind, work on fact and not assumption, collate and document evidence which would survive robust cross examination and more importantly do so in a transparent manner.


Photo credit and source: Integr8 Fuels
Published: 23 July, 2020

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Mass Flowmeter

Hong Kong backs MFM adoption with voluntary scheme to boost bunkering competitiveness

Hong Kong’s Marine Department launched the Quality Bunker Operator Scheme to encourage bunker operators to install and use mass flow meter systems on their bunker vessels.
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June 4, 2026

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Hong Kong’s Marine Department (MD) on Wednesday (3 June) launched the Quality Bunker Operator Scheme to encourage bunker operators to install and use mass flow meter systems (MFM systems) on their bunker vessels.

MD said the scheme aims to enhance Hong Kong’s bunkering service quality and the competitiveness of Hong Kong ports, thereby further consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an international maritime centre and a major bunkering port.

Under the Scheme, bunker operators of traditional maritime fuel and biodiesel that install and use MFM systems on their bunker vessels, with the MFM systems inspected and certified by an accredited body in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 22192 Standard or equivalent requirements, can apply to the MD for inclusion in the scheme’s “List of Quality Bunker Vessels”, provided they meet the relevant technical and operational requirements. 

Details of the bunker vessels successfully included in the List will be published on a dedicated page on the MD’s website for reference by shipping companies and relevant stakeholders.

Participation in the Scheme is voluntary. In addition to receiving recognition from the MD, participating bunker operators will benefit from enhanced corporate image and competitiveness through the adoption of MFM systems, thereby boosting customers’ confidence and helping to create new business opportunities.

 A spokesman for the MD, said: “As an international maritime centre supported by our country, Hong Kong has a strategic location adjacent to major international fairways. Coupled with years of development in marine fuel bunkering, Hong Kong possesses rich experience and talent in the field. For many years, Hong Kong has consistently ranked as the seventh-largest bunkering port globally, the second-largest in our country, and the largest in the Greater Bay Area, providing reliable and competitive fuel bunkering services to ocean-going vessels from around the world. 

“As the international shipping industry has an increasing demand for accuracy and transparency in bunkering services, service quality and measurement precision in bunkering operations have become important indicators of a bunkering port’s competitiveness. The Scheme will enhance bunkering accuracy and transparency, further enhancing the quality of Hong Kong’s bunkering services.

The spokesman added that comprehensive port services are one of Hong Kong’s key advantages as an international maritime centre.

“We will also mandate the use of MFM systems on all methanol bunker vessels this year to ensure that Hong Kong continues to provide high-quality bunkering services in the era of green maritime fuels.” 

Note: The application form for the Scheme can be found on the MD’s website. Interested bunker operators can download the application form from the website or contact the MD’s Green Maritime Fuel Team via email ([email protected]) for details.

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 4 June, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

MPA and MSC ink MoU to support adoption of alternative bunker fuels

MPA and MSC will explore new routes and services to strengthen connectivity, support the adoption of alternative marine fuels such as bio-LNG, and advance technologies to improve vessel energy efficiency.
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MPA and MSC ink MoU to support adoption of alternative bunker fuels

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (3 June) said it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company to strengthen collaboration in maritime decarbonisation, digitalisation, innovation, and manpower development. 

The MoU was signed on 25 May 2026 by Mr Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of MPA, and Mr Soren Toft, Chief Executive Officer of MSC.

The MoU underscores the shared commitment of MPA and MSC to foster a sustainable, digital, and future-ready maritime sector, while enhancing MSC’s operational and business activities in Singapore. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of MSC establishing its Asia Regional Office and local office in Singapore.

Under the MoU, MPA and MSC will explore new routes and services to strengthen connectivity, support the adoption of alternative marine fuels such as bio-LNG, and advance technologies to improve vessel energy efficiency and operational performance.

MPA and MSC will also collaborate on maritime digitalisation initiatives to improve operational efficiency, including streamlining vessel arrivals and port operations. 

On manpower development, MSC will support internship and scholarship opportunities through Singapore Maritime Foundation’s Maritime Outreach Network (MaritimeONE) platform, an industry-led tripartite partnership comprising industry, government and institutes of higher learning that aims to raise awareness of the maritime industry and attract quality talent into the maritime sector.

Mr Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of MPA, said: “This partnership reflects the strong collaboration between MPA and MSC in driving sustainability and digitalisation in the maritime sector. By working together on decarbonisation, operational efficiency and talent development, we aim to strengthen Maritime Singapore’s position as a trusted and future-ready global maritime hub.”

Mr Soren Toft, Chief Executive Officer of MSC, said: “Singapore is a strategically important hub for MSC and a key gateway to the broader Asia region. As we mark 30 years in Singapore, this MOU reinforces our long-term commitment to strengthening our presence here. MSC and Singapore are closely aligned on the priorities shaping the future of global shipping, and we look forward to deepening this partnership to drive the continued growth and resilience of the maritime industry.”

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 4 June, 2026

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Emissions reporting

StormGeo and OceanScore link emissions data, compliance workflows

Cooperation combines StormGeo’s expertise in operational vessel and emissions data with OceanScore’s expertise in emissions compliance workflows across EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime and UK ETS requirements.
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StormGeo and OceanScore link emissions data, compliance workflows

Weather intelligence and decision support solutions provider StormGeo and Hamburg-based technology platform OceanScore on Wednesday (3 June) said they have deepened their ongoing cooperation through the signing of a collaboration agreement during Posidonia 2026 in Athens on 2 June.

The cooperation combines StormGeo’s expertise in operational vessel and emissions data with OceanScore’s expertise in emissions compliance workflows across EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime and upcoming UK ETS requirements.

Together, the companies aim to help shipping companies seamlessly navigate increasing regulatory complexity more efficiently — from emissions reporting and data validation to compliance exposure management, pooling and financial settlement.

As emissions regulation becomes an increasingly important part of commercial shipping operations, the need for reliable operational data and streamlined compliance processes continues to grow. The cooperation between StormGeo and OceanScore is designed to support shipping companies with more connected, transparent and actionable processes across operational and commercial teams.

“From the outside, companies like StormGeo and OceanScore may sometimes be perceived as competitors because both operate around emissions and compliance workflows,” said Albrecht Grell, Managing Director at OceanScore. 

“But in reality, the industry increasingly needs both perspectives working together: trusted operational emissions data on one side and commercial compliance execution on the other. Our cooperation reflects that shipping companies are no longer looking for isolated solutions — they need connected processes, automated across different systems and reliable decision-making throughout the full compliance chain.”

By connecting validated operational emissions data with commercial compliance management, the cooperation supports workflows across:

  • emissions reporting and validation 
  • compliance management across EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime and upcoming UK ETS requirements
  • exposure visibility and cost transparency
  • pooling, settlement and financial processes 

The cooperation also aims to improve commercial transparency and coordination across operational and commercial stakeholders.

“StormGeo plays a central role in helping shipping companies turn operational vessel and emissions data into trusted, decision-ready insights,” said Espen Martinsen, Chief Commercial Officer at StormGeo. 

“As emissions regulations become more complex, this data is essential for transparent and efficient compliance management. By working with OceanScore, we can help customers connect StormGeo’s validated operational data with commercial compliance processes, creating a more integrated and practical approach to emissions management.”

The signing ceremony took place at the StormGeo booth during Posidonia 2026 in Athens and was attended by representatives from both companies.

Both companies expect the cooperation to continue evolving alongside upcoming regulatory developments, including FuelEU Maritime, EU ETS, the upcoming UK ETS and future emissions-related frameworks affecting global shipping.

 

Photo credit: StormGeo
Published: 4 June, 2026

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