Business

VPS: Houston contaminated VLSFO bunker fuel was also supplied in Singapore

Out of 14 vessels bunkered with contaminated VLSFO, 12 of them received their fuel in Houston while two vessels received their fuel in Singapore; fuel delivered by four suppliers.

Published

2 years ago

August 8, 2023

Admin

Marine fuel testing firm VPS on Monday (7 August) delivered an update on the recent VLSFO marine fuel contamination in Houston, revealing out of 14 vessels, two vessels were supplied with contaminated fuel oil in Singapore and 12 vessels received it in Houston.

On 10 July, VPS informed its customers and the wider market, of the presence of Dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) isomers at significantly high levels within VLSFO bunker fuel deliveries in Houston. The contaminants were detected using in-house GC-MS (Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometer) analytical methodologies.

Initially, VPS highlighted eleven vessels had suffered operational issues, such as loss of power and propulsion whilst at sea. These effects resulted from fuel leakage in the ICU (Injection Control Unit) units and fuel pumps not being able to develop the required fuel pressure, affecting only the Auxilary engines and not Main engines. The contaminated VLSFO had been delivered in Houston, by one single fuel supplier.

Four weeks later, VPS can now provide a further update on the spread of this fuel contamination issue: Fourteen vessels in total, have now received this contaminated fuel and suffered some form of damage to their auxiliary engines and fuel delivery systems. Twelve of the vessels received their fuel in Houston, whilst a further two vessels received their fuel in Singapore, with the fuel delivered by four suppliers.

The specific contaminants are:

Di-hydro dicyclopentadiene
Chemical CAS Number: 448-57-7
Tetra-hydro dicyclopentadiene
Chemical CAS Number: 6004-38-2

DCPD’s are unsaturated chemical compounds which can polymerise and oxidise under certain conditions. However, the rate of this polymerisation process can be reduced by the presence of inhibitors that are typically found within fuel oil.

Should these compounds start polymerising, the fuel begins to exhibit a level of stickiness and become more viscous, making it difficult for moving components, such as fuel pump plungers and the fuel injector spindles to move freely. These effects cause damage to the fuel injection system.

Over a period of time excessive sludge formation is likely to be experienced. The DCPD compounds that were detected in this fuel ranged from 3,000 to 7,000 ppm (0.3-0.7%) per delivery.

VPS employed it’s own proprietary GCMS Vacuum distillation methodology to detect DCPD, in preference to the ASTM D7845, Standard Test Method for Determination of Chemical Species in Marine Fuel Oil by GCMS. The VPS methodology is capable of detecting and measuring the DCPD and its isomers, whereas the ASTM D7845 methodology is limited to detecting only 29 chemical contaminants, which does not include DCPD species.

In addition to the fourteen vessels suffering damages from burning this fuel, a further 18 vessels who received the contaminated fuel from thirteen additional suppliers, either witnessed no adverse reactions, or simply did not provide any feedback regarding any damages.

In total, the volume of contaminated fuel delivered to the 32 vessels, was 61,494 metric tonnes. Three vessels de-bunkered the contaminated fuel prior to burning, following a “Caution” result from the VPS Chemical Screening service, highlighting the value of this pre-burn service.

A further three vessels de-bunkered the fuel after suffering initial engine damage from burning the fuel. Whilst another two vessels burnt the fuel in their main engines without issue after switching it from their auxiliary engines, where it had caused operational damage.

Figures showing sludge formation in filters (top) and ceased fuel pump plunger (bottom)

VPS: Houston contaminated VLSFO bunker fuel was also supplied in Singapore

Photo credit: VPS
Published: 8 August, 2023

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Singapore: Ang Wee Keong from IMDA appointed as new MPA Chief Executive

Ang will relinquish his IMDA appointment as Assistant Chief Executive (International) of the Info-Communications and will officially take over from Teo Eng Dih from 16 June.

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Singapore: Ang Wee Keong from IMDA appointed as new MPA Chief Executive

Singapore’s Ministry of Transport on Tuesday (29 April) said Mr Ang Wee Keong, currently the Assistant Chief Executive (International) of the Info-Communications Media Development Authority (IMDA), will concurrently be appointed as Chief Executive (Designate) of the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) from 1 May to 15 June 2025.

He will relinquish his IMDA appointment and be appointed Chief Executive of MPA from 16 June 2025. He will succeed Mr Teo Eng Dih, who will be appointed Deputy Secretary (Special Duties) at the Ministry of Transport with effect from 16 June.

Mr Teo will remain as a member of the MPA Board until he steps down as CE MPA. Mr Ang will be appointed as a board member with effect from 16 June 2025.

“The Ministry of Transport thanks Mr Teo Eng Dih for his leadership and contributions as Chief Executive of MPA, and welcomes Mr Ang Wee Keong,” the ministry added.

Mr Teo Eng Dih (张英智)

As the Chief Executive of the MPA, Mr Teo made significant contributions to grow Singapore’s International Maritime Centre and the PIER71TM startup ecosystem. During his tenure, the Port of Singapore attained new records in vessel arrivals, container throughput, bunker sales and registrations under the Singapore Registry of Ships. MPA was also recognised as one of the key global regulators by Lloyd’s List. These milestones were reached amidst a complex global operating environment marked by geopolitical uncertainties, supply chain disruptions and technological shifts affecting the flow of goods and supplies worldwide.

Mr Ang Wee Keong (洪伟强)

As the Assistant Chief Executive (International) of IMDA, Mr Ang made significant contributions in advancing Singapore’s digital interests and thought leadership in the international arena. He strengthened Singapore’s network of digital economy partnerships, and expanded collaboration through platforms like the ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting, Forum of Small States and Asia Tech x Singapore (ATxSG). He also oversaw the formulation of forward-thinking policies and regulations in digital technology and services to advance the growth of Singapore’s digital economy, including the upcoming Digital Infrastructure Act to enhance the resilience and security of systemically important digital infrastructure.

Photo credit: Singapore Polytechnic
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.

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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.

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57 minutes ago

April 30, 2025

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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