International marine fuel specifications testing company Viswa Group on Saturday (10 October) said it has identified four fuels with low flashpoint (57, 57, 57 and 59 deg Celsius) from the Turkish ports of Ahirkapi, Aliaga and Istanbul.
Viswa noted that the four supplies were Low Sulphur distillate fuels (LSMGO) and the off-spec fuels were supplied by two suppliers.
The fuels fall outside the SOLAS and ISO 8217 requirements of flash point of 60.00 degC minimum. As per SOLAS requirements, the minimum flash point of any fuel carried in the tanks of a ship should be not less than 60.00 deg C.
It added that is no permissible negative tolerance, and this applies to any fuel onboard the vessel (with exception of fuel for lifeboats which can be grade DMX with a flash point min of 43 degC).
When are ordering fuels from Turkey it is advised to insist on getting the actual flash point values from the supplier.
Photo credit: Meriç Dağlı
Published: 14 October, 2020
Program introduces periodic assessments, mass flow metering data analysis, and regular training for relevant key personnel to better handle the MFMS to ensure a high level of continuous operational competency.
U.S. Claims Register Summary recorded a total USD 833 million claim from a total 180 creditors against O.W. Bunker USA, according to the creditor list seen by Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.
Glencore purchased fuel through Straits Pinnacle which contracted supply from Unicious Energy. Contaminated HSFO was loaded at Khor Fakkan port and shipped to a FSU in Tanjong Pelepas, Malaysia to be further blended.
Individuals were employees of surveying companies engaged by Shell to inspect the volume of oil loaded onto the vessels which Shell supplied oil to; they allegedly accepted bribes totalling at least USD 213,000.
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.
‘MPA had immediately contacted the relevant bunker suppliers to take necessary steps to ensure that the relevant batch of fuel was no longer supplied. Further investigations are currently on-going,’ it informs.