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Part II: Integr8 Fuels Bunker Quality Trends 2022 Report

It is 26 times more likely to have an off specification incident in ARA compared to Singapore and still almost four times more likely than in Houston.

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Integr8 Fuels, the bunker trading and brokerage arm of Navig8, on Wednesday (14 September) shared with Manifold Times its first Bunker Quality Trends where it examines and compares likelihood of off specification issues across all commercial grades of bunkers and key ports. The following is a continuation of yesterday’s coverage of the report: 

Integr8 Quality Index

The last 6 months have identified a generally improving picture for both VLSFO and HSFO, however, the back story is that the improvement is from historic lows of the Integr8 Fuels Quality Index in Q1 of 2022, a period that coincided with the start of the war in Ukraine, Russian sanctions and the spike in oil prices as can be seen from Figure 6 below which compares Brent crude against Quality Index.

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At the time of writing and given the crack has narrowed only slightly and remains more than $600/MT, these challenges show no real sign of abatement so in the short to medium term we do not expect to see significant improvement in fuel quality or compliance. 

Focus on VLSFO

In the last 180 days, 2.7 % of all VLSFO supplies tested outside of specification (and beyond 95% confidence limits) forlimits) for ISO 8217 table 2 parameters. The data identifies that the risk of Marpol compliance is significantly higher globally than HSFO at 0.8%, however, this does not tell the full story given the elevated risk of non-compliance noted around blending hubs.

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Based on the cross section of off specifications, we can identify the hit-rates of high risk off specification matters such as Aluminium and Silicon and TSP 0.1% and 0.4% or between one and four supplies per thousand. Again, these risks are magnified in blending hubs rather than those areas with either simpler blending models or refined products available. Delving a little deeper, and more concerningly in the last 180 days, approximately two thirds of all off specification VLSFO occurrences are because of Sulphur, Water or TSP Issues with Sulphur alone accounting for almost one third of all off specs (Fig 11) and virtually all compliance matters. 

From a global standpoint, VLSFO quality is seen to be good, however, significant regional variances can be noted, none more so than for Belgian and Dutch ports (or ARA) where receivers are at least 10 times more likely to receive a notification of a VLSFO above 0.50% than in Singapore, and more than five times more likely than the rest of the world. (Fig 12)

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More worryingly, we notice trends within trends in the case of ARA when we drill down to individual supplier performance and, referring to one anonymized example below, we note that in the case of August 22 to date we have strong grounds to believe over 10% of all deliveries were non-compliant and over 30% of all samples potentially noncompliant. To conclude, four out of ten of all VLSFO deliveries may result in non-compliance when considering data related to this anonymous supplier in ARA. (Fig 13, next page)

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At the other end of the spectrum, we can identify examples of suppliers with excellent sulphur compliance who, in the last three months do not have a single sample that exceeded 0.50%Wt. (Fig 14)

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Many theories exist as to why some ARA suppliers have such poor quality data when we consider Sulphur, not least the difficulties of buying ex-wharf and the challenges of the fuel even arriving onto the barge with a Sulphur level of 0.50% or lower, given the reduction in Sulphur give-away from a blending perspective in recent months. It is entirely possible this may be due to cross contamination in jetty lines (with HSFO), but this may also be due to other practices onboard the barge. 

Indeed upon investigation of the anonymous poor performing supplier referred to earlier, it was identified that several of their barges were moving storage in-between HSFO and VLSFO with the first delivery post a HSFO movement inevitably testing above 0.5%, no doubt due to the common deck lines (and /or sampling points) onboard the barge. 

Example (Fig 15) – A Barge line contains 3 MT of HSFO clingage and a barge tank 200MT of VLSFO at 0.50% Sulphur. 200MT of VLSFO is then supplied.

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It is also entirely possible that the fuel is compliant in such cases given the possibility of cross contamination within sample points, therefore it is essential to ensure that the sample is representative of the fuel supplied and that there is no cross contamination in the continuous drip sampler. However, best practice remains that unless double valve segregation and separate manifolds are available on board the delivering facility, supplying HSFO and VLSFO from the same barge would be considered a substantial risk to quality if identified. 

Expanding on these trends but now considering other parameters, we can also identify similar trends also exist for TSP across ARA when compared to Singapore and other bunkering hubs when considering the likelihood of results testing within tolerance (95% confidence limits 0.11%Wt to 0.15%Wt Incl) or beyond 95% confidence (0.16Wt or higher) in the last 180 days.

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The variance across bunker hubs is eye opening. In the case of Fig 16 we can see that we are as much as 26 times more likely to have an off specification incident in ARA compared to Singapore and still almost four times more likely than the second worse hub statistically in Houston.

Interestingly however, the selection of a supplier identified with less risk (based on data available) in ARA would virtually remove this risk entirely and drop the likelihood of a result testing at 0.16%wt or above to the same as Singapore and consequently better than many of the other bunkering hubs worldwide. 

Note: The full Integr8 Fuels Bunker Quality Trends 2022 Report can be found here

Related: Integr8 Fuels publishes its first Bunker Quality Trends Report

Photo credit: Integr8 Fuels
Published: 16 September, 2022

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Winding up

Singapore: High Court to hear Norvic Shipping Asia winding up application on 31 July

Application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to Government Gazette notice.

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RESIZED singapore high court

An application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to a Tuesday (21 July) notice on the Government Gazette.

It noted the winding up application is directed to be heard before the Judge sitting in the General Division of the High Court at 10am on 31 July.

Any creditor or contributory of the company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the winding up application may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose.

A copy of the winding up application will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the company requiring the copy of the winding up application by the solicitors of the applicant’s, Oon & Bazul LLC, on payment of the regulated charge for the same.

The Applicant’s address is Hiridostraat 5, Gebouw Prismatrium, 1101CW Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The Applicant’s solicitors are Oon & Bazul LLC of 103 Penang Rd, #04-04/05/06 Singapore 238467. 

Queries on the winding up application may be directed to the following email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected].

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.

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World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

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HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

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