Business

MPA: Glencore and PetroChina supplied contaminated bunkers to about 200 ships in the Port of Singapore

MPA preliminary investigations revealed that the affected marine fuel was supplied by Glencore Singapore Pte Ltd who later sold part of the same cargo to PetroChina International (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

Published

3 years ago

April 13, 2022

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (13 April) issued an update on the contaminated bunker fuel situation at Singapore:

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was notified on 14 March 2022 that a number of ships had been supplied with High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO) containing high concentration levels of Chlorinated Organic Compounds (COC) (1,2-Dichloroethane, Tetrachloroethylene) in the Port of Singapore. MPA immediately contacted the relevant bunker suppliers to take necessary steps to stop supplying the affected fuel and to also inform all the ships that were supplied with the fuel to exercise caution when using it.

Preliminary investigations conducted by MPA revealed that the affected fuel – a blended product, was supplied by Glencore Singapore Pte Ltd (Glencore). Glencore informed MPA that on receiving reports of its fuel being contaminated, Glencore proceeded to test the fuels supplied by its sources used in its blended product, and discovered that one of them that was sourced from overseas had contained about 15000 ppm of COC. By the time of testing, Glencore had already sold part of the affected fuel to PetroChina International (Singapore) Pte Ltd (PetroChina), which in turn, had supplied to ships in the Port of Singapore.

To date, Glencore and PetroChina had supplied the affected fuel to about 200 ships in the Port of Singapore. Of these, about 80 ships have reported various issues with their fuel pumps and engines. MPA has conducted fuel sample tests for some of the affected ships and found elevated levels of COC in their fuel samples. This is the first case of fuel contamination due to high concentration levels of COC reported in Singapore in the past two decades.

Bunker fuel supplied in the Port of Singapore must meet the international standards of petroleum products of fuel – International Organization for Standardization 8217 (ISO 8217) [1]. The contaminated fuel purchased by Glencore was in compliance with ISO 8217. Glencore had also performed additional testing of the fuel based on the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D7845 [2]. Both ISO 8217 and ASTM D7845 do not test for COC.

MPA is currently in discussions with the industry on implementing additional fuel quality checks that would screen for unacceptable chemicals. MPA also intends to submit a paper on the fuel contamination with COC to the International Maritime Organization for the members’ awareness.

As a major bunkering hub, MPA takes bunker quality assurance seriously and will not hesitate to take necessary actions against relevant parties if they have failed to comply with MPA’s bunker licence conditions or other applicable regulations.

[1]: ISO 8217 - International Standards Petroleum products — Fuels (class F) — Specifications of marine fuels.

[2]: ASTM D7845 – Standard Test Method for Determination of Chemical Species in Marine Fuel Oil by Multidimensional Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 13 April, 2022

LNG Bunkering

Japan: MOL’s third LNG-fuelled ferry “Sunflower Kamuy” starts operation in Oarai

“Sunflower Kamuy” will serve the Oarai-Tomakomai route between Ibaraki Prefecture and Hokkaido as a replacement for the Sunflower Daisetsu, says MOL.

Published

1 day ago

January 24, 2025

Admin

Japan: MOL third LNG-fuelled ferry “Sunflower Kamuy” starts operation in Oarai

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) on Thursday (23 January) announced that the LNG-fuelled ferry Sunflower Kamuy, owned by MOL and operated by its group company MOL Sunflower, entered service in Oarai.

The vessel will be the third LNG-fuelled ferry operated by MOL Sunflower, following the Sunflower Kurenai and Sunflower Murasaki, which have been in service on the Osaka-Beppu route from 2023.

Sunflower Kamuy will serve the Oarai-Tomakomai route between Ibaraki Prefecture and Hokkaido as a replacement for the Sunflower Daisetsu.

Along with the sister vessel Sunflower Pirka, scheduled to enter service in early summer 2025, MOL Sunflower will operate a fleet of four LNG-fuelled ferries on the Oarai-Tomakomai route and the Osaka-Beppu route within 2025.

MOL Sunflower operates 10 ferries and 4 RoRo vessels on six routes throughout Japan, from Hokkaido to Kyushu, providing service for both logistics and passengers in Japan.

Photo credit: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
Published: 24 January, 2025

Winding up

Singapore: Notice of preferential dividend issued for Asia-Pacific Shipyard

Creditors will need to submit proofs to liquidators of Asia-Pacific Shipyard Pte Ltd by 6 February, according to a Government Gazette notice.

Published

1 day ago

January 24, 2025

Admin

A notice of preferential dividend for Otto Marine Limited, which is in liquidation, was published on the Government Gazette on Friday (9 September).

The following are details of the notice:

Name of Company : Asia-Pacific Shipyard Pte Ltd (In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation)
Unique Entity No./Registration No. : 197300183MAddress of Registered Office : 8 Wilkie Road, #03-08 Wilkie Edge, Singapore 228095

Last Day for Receiving Proofs : 6 February 2025

Name of Liquidators : Ng Kian Kiat and Yap Hui Li

Address of Liquidators : c/o RSM SG Corporate Advisory Pte. Ltd., 8 Wilkie Road #03-08, Wilkie Edge, Singapore 228095

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
Published: 24 January, 2024

LNG Bunkering

SEA-LNG report: Number of LNG-fuelled vessels in operation up by over 33% in 2024

Based on its latest ‘View from the Bridge’ report, SEA-LNG reported an annual vessel growth of over 33% to 638 LNG-fuelled vessels in operation worldwide in 2024.

Published

1 day ago

January 24, 2025

Admin

SEA-LNG report: Number of LNG-fuelled vessels in operation up by over 33% in 2024

Industry coalition SEA-LNG on Thursday (24 January) reported an annual vessel growth of over 33% to 638 LNG-fuelled vessels in operation worldwide in 2024.

This was one of the findings of SEA-LNG’s annual ‘View from the Bridge’ report, highlighting 2024 as another year of growth for the LNG pathway.

Analysing data from SEA-LNG members, the report found that global market adoption and growth reached record heights in 2024.

Looking forward, over 1,200 vessels are expected to be operating by the end of 2028. In 2024, LNG dual-fuelled vessels accounted for 70% of alternative fuelled tonnage ordered, excluding LNG Carriers, up from 43% in 2023.

This record expansion follows the growing availability of LNG bunker fuel beyond the traditional bunkering hubs. Currently, LNG bunkers are accessible in approximately 198 ports worldwide, and plans are underway for bunkering facilities in an additional 78 ports. This comes as over 60 LNG bunkering vessels are operating today, marking a 22% increase from 2023.

The ‘View from the Bridge’ report also highlights how the LNG pathway took a significant step in 2024, with liquified biomethane delivering on decarbonisation and regular renewable e-methane supplies expected in 2026.

SEA-LNG members are prepared to offer biomethane bunkers in some 70 ports globally, with multiple bunkering operations already taking place.

A highlight was the successful biomethane bunkering pilot as part of the Methane Track within the Rotterdam-Singapore Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC). This was the first practical delivery of any international Green Corridor since they were announced as part of the Clydebank Declaration at COP 26 in Glasgow.

Peter Keller, chairman of SEA-LNG, said: “Our latest View from the Bridge reaffirms the importance of the LNG pathway as a practical and realistic route to shipping’s decarbonisation now. We continue to believe that the shipping industry is heading towards a successful multi-fuel future where LNG will always play a critical role.”

“To deliver net zero by 2050 across the global shipping fleet, a basket of fuels is required and the LNG pathway will continue to lead the way. This is not a case of my fuel versus your fuel but rather which fuel best allows the industry to reach its stated goals. The LNG pathway provides the path to net zero.”

SEA-LNG’s latest report also highlights that 2024 has seen considerable progress in addressing methane slip. “Advances in eliminating methane slip, in combination with biomethane and e-methane, provide a clear, effective, and viable long-term pathway towards net zero emissions. Shipowners and operators can be confident that the vessels ordered today are future-proofed for their lifespan.”

“With a proven track record of technical improvements to reduce methane slip and upstream emissions, coupled with tighter regulations from global and regional authorities, we continue to believe methane slip will be a non-issue by the end of this decade,” Keller continued.

FuelEU Maritime will be a key regulation in advancing shipping industry decarbonisation, heading into 2025. According to analysis from SEA-LNG, FuelEU Maritime creates a favourable environment for the LNG pathway.

With the ability to achieve GHG emissions reductions of up to 23%, LNG-fuelled vessels are compliant until 2039. The use of liquefied biomethane and e-methane can extend compliance through to 2050 and beyond.

Note: The full report is available for download here.

Photo credit: SEA-LNG
Published: 24 January, 2025