As the global clean-fuel started to coming into effect from 1st of January, several tests have been carried out by AmSpec Services along with a unit of Lloyd’s Register. Specifically the testing companies examined newer, low-sulfur marine blends acquired in Antwerp, Belgium, Houston and Singapore.
The tests showed that a 60% of the low-sulphur fuel recipes from bunker suppliers near the top U.S. oil port of Houston, failed to follow the sediment specifications, while this could harm the engines of ocean-going vessels.
“Marine fuel suppliers are struggling with sediments. Producers have continued to tweak their recipes to get the fuels on spec” said in Reuters, Shannon Boudreaux, a fuel blending specialist at AmSpec, adding that he did not expect a widespread problem for shippers.
At the same time, the Lloyd’s Register fuel testing company Fobas, announced that found high sediment levels in bunker fuel samples in Singapore, Antwerp and other European ports. As the levels surpassed the residue international standards.
We need the supply side to fully contribute to a smooth changeover so that we do not have any incidents due to incompatible fuels and we can ensure safe operations for our seafarers.
… said Guy Platten, secretary general of the trade association International Chamber of Shipping.
In light of the situation, AmSpec noted that mixing two low-sulphur bunker fuels have the ability to increase the sediment levels, as ships operators have to manage IMO 2020 suppliers with more care. On the other hand, there was no residue issue from mixing high-sulphur fuel from several suppliers.
The industry is concerned about these different types of very low-sulfur fuel oil concoctions, that when blended meet specifications, but when mixed together may all of a sudden be off specification.
…as Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates in Houston concluded
In order for the shipping industries to meet and comply with the IMO 2020 standards, AmSpec’s tests for sediment levels were conducted more constantly and noticed a remarkable rise.
For the records, the IMO standards push the maritime industry to shift to a cleaner burning marine fuel to reduce the coastal air pollution.
