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Zhoushan: New northern anchorage and storage terminal to support bunkering operations

New Qushan anchorage reduces pressure on bunker supply, as the average waiting time at the southern anchorage is 18 hours and demand is expected to increase.

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Zhoushan Storage

The Zhoushan Bonded Marine Fuel Association on Wednesday (24 February) said a new anchorage and storage terminal has been added in the northern port area at Zhoushan to reduce pressure on bunker supply in southern anchorages as demand for bunker fuel continues to increase. 

In 2020, Zhoushan Port supplied 4.724 million metric tonnes (mt) of bunker fuel and as operations increase it was necessary to construct a new anchorage to supply fuel to the south as well as to expand the service area of the port as the average waiting time at the southern Xiazhimen anchorage was 18 hours.

The newly opened northern Qushan anchorage commenced its services in mid-January this year, and so far, it has supplied up to 7,380 mt of bunker fuel to four large (200,000 to 300,000 dwt) tankers and bulk carriers. 

Similar to the Xiazhimen Anchorage, the Qushan anchorage is exempt from tonnage tax and pilotage fees and its deep waters make it suitable for large and medium bulk carriers and oil tankers with large tonnage even during drought.

Liquified petroleum gas (LPG) is also available as a bunker fuel at the Qushan anchorage.

To support operations and larger volumes, the Huangzeshan Bonded Oil Storage and Transportation Terminal is located 8 nautical miles north of the Qushan anchorage.

The terminal currently has 630,000 cubic meters of bonded storage capacity and a 100,000 cbm export supervision warehouse, and each reservoir area is also equipped with two 10,000-ton wharfs.

It is currently utilised for importing crude oil, fuel oil, exporting fuel oil from local refineries, and since 10 February, it is also a service point to supply bunker fuel.

Qualified fuel suppliers can use the Zhejiang Free Trade Zone Customs Supervision Innovation Measures to utilise the same tank for bunker fuel allocation or for direct bunker supply businesses.

It is estimated that more than 45,000 international sailing pass through the northern waters of Zhoushan every year, accounting for about 42% of traffic in the entire Zhoushan area, and most of the vessels are high-service value ships such as container ships and large bulk carriers.

Zhoushan is also connected to the northern Yangtze River Estuary, the world’s second largest ship-delivery destination, which houses more than 50,000 international vessels every year. 

The Zhoushan Bonded Marine Fuel Association concluded that the anchorage’s strategic location between the Xiazhimen anchorage and Shanghai Yangshan port would increase the port’s competitiveness in the bunkering business.

Zhoushan map

Zhoushan

Zhoushan map 2

Related: Petrochina officiates first bunkering operation at Zhoushan Shulan-Hubei anchorage
Related: China: Structural and operational upgrades lead to 15% increase in bunker sales at Zhoushan port
Related: Shanghai INE inks agreement with PetroChina for LSFO futures overseas delivery
Related: Shanghai and Zhoushan port complete first cross-port bunkering operation


Photo credit: Zhoushan Bonded Marine Fuel Association
Published: 25 February, 2021

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Bunker Fuel Quality

FOBAS: High/off-spec ash found in ARA residual bunker fuels due to calcium

These fuels were bunkered in the second half of April from ports in the ARA region with tested ash ranging from 0.102 to 0.127%m/m; high calcium is a main contributor to the off-spec ash.

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Louis Reed from Unsplash

Lloyd’s Register Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) on Thursday (8 May) released a bulletin regarding its testing on a number of fuels that have a high tested Ash content, above the 0.100%m/m limit for an RMG380 grade:

In recent days FOBAS has tested a number of fuels that have a high tested Ash content, above the 0.100%m/m limit for an RMG380 grade. These fuels were bunkered in the second half of April from ports in the ARA (Antwerp, Rotterdam, Amsterdam) region with tested Ash ranging from 0.102 to 0.127%m/m.

These fuels are all high sulphur residual fuels (>0.50% mass) with very similar properties and appear to be from the same source.

One common factor in all is the high Calcium which is a main contributor to the off-spec Ash in each case. Calcium ranged from 116mg/kg up to 181mg/kg. Sodium was also relatively high ranging from 50 to 86mg/kg., The fuels also had high acid numbers (TAN) ranging from 2.20 to 3.40mgKOH/g.

Often when we see high acid numbers (>2.00mgKOH/g) and high Calcium together this is due to naphthenic acids. These are present in the original crude oil and generally not considered any operational concern. Initial testing on some of these recent fuels show naphthenic acids to be present.

There are some additional points to clarify on the above:

  • Firstly, in relation to Calcium, it may be noted that ISO8217 lists a 30mg/kg limit for Calcium. It is important to note the full clarification in the standard however, where the Calcium limit only applies in conjunction with the Phosphorus or Zinc limits of 15mg/kg, used as a measure of ULO (Used Lubricating Oil) presence, rather than to limit the Calcium content on its own.
  • Sodium levels, although relatively high are all still below the 100mg/kg RMG380 grade limit.
  • On any high acid number fuel, it should also be noted that just because naphthenic acids are present, it does not rule out any other contamination or potential issues with the fuel. Additional attention should be given to the performance of the fuel injection equipment and component conditions during the use of such fuels
  • Although Calcium on its own is not a problem, at high levels where it increases the total Ash content as seen here, it can be an issue with increased Ash potentially leading to an increase in post combustion fouling and surging of turbocharger. This should not be allowed to accumulate in particular in the turbocharger, inlet grids, nozzle and blading.

So far we have not had any operation problems reported on the use of these fuels, however caution should be taken in particular to dealing with any increase in post combustion fouling as mentioned, and if further investigation into the nature of the acidic components present is required to confirm they are only naphthenic acids then detailed GCMS forensic testing could be carried out.

 

Photo credit: Louis Reed from Unsplash
Published: 9 May, 2025

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LNG Bunkering

Singapore: ITOPF and Britannia P&I Club conduct table-top workshop for LNG bunker spills

Both held a workshop where attendees planned a response to a spill scenario of LNG from an alternatively fuelled vessel as part of a new training exercise.

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Singapore: ITOPF and Britannia P&I Club conduct table-top workshop for LNG bunker spills

The International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) on Wednesday (7 May) said it held a table-top workshop with Britannia P&I Club in Singapore where attendees planned a response to a spill scenario of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as part of a new training exercise called HYDRO NEXUS. 

The half-day event saw team members from Britannia successfully responding to a spill of LNG bunkers from an alternatively fuelled vessel, who were assisted by the ITOPF team on how best to approach the response, taking into account the risks and hazards presented by this substance.

“The Britannia team were guided by ITOPF’s experts on the steps of an alternative fuel and HNS (Hazardous and Noxious Substances) response, including information gathering, risk assessment, appropriate PPE selection, and use of different techniques and equipment used in these spill scenarios,” it said on its website. 

“One key component of the exercise was to demonstrate the potential impacts and claims that the P&I insurers may face during an alternative fuel/HNS incident. Teams collated costs for loss of life and personal injury, clean-up and preventive measures, property damage, economic loss and environmental damage claims.”

 

Photo credit: International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation
Published: 9 May, 2025

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Decarbonisation

Singapore-based Berge Bulk installs carbon capture system on board bulk carrier

System, developed by Value Maritime, integrates carbon capture into an exhaust gas cleaning system known as the Filtree System, designed to capture up to 15 tonnes of CO₂ per day.

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Singapore-based Berge Bulk installs carbon capture system on board bulk carrier

Singapore-based dry bulk owner Berge Bulk on Wednesday (7 May) said it has completed the installation of a carbon capture system on board its 63,000 DWT Ultramax vessel Berge Yotei.

The system, developed by Value Maritime, integrates carbon capture into an exhaust gas cleaning system known as the Filtree System. It is designed to capture up to 15 tonnes of CO₂ per day, representing a potential 30% reduction in emissions during operations.

Unlike conventional scrubbers, the Filtree System removes both sulphur oxides and CO₂ from a vessel’s exhaust. CO₂ is absorbed into a reusable amine solution, which can be offloaded in port for regeneration or reuse. Potential applications include use in greenhouses, beverage production, and other industrial processes — contributing to a more circular carbon economy.

“Carbon capture is a key pillar of our decarbonisation strategy. While we remain committed to optimising fleet efficiency, installing decarbonisation technology, and switching to new fuels, we must also capture carbon at the same time.” said James Marshall, CEO of Berge Bulk. 

“We’ve been actively capturing carbon through nature-based solutions on shore for many years, now it’s time to also start capturing carbon on board.”

As the industry looks to decarbonise, Berge Bulk emphasised the need for collaboration across governments, ports, technology providers, and regulators to develop the infrastructure, protocols, and commercial models needed to support carbon capture at scale.

 

Photo credit: Berge Bulk
Published: 9 May, 2025

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