Recommendations re Low Sulphur Marine Gas Oil

by The Editorial Team

June 5, 2015

in Fuels

The Republic of the Marshall issued recommendations regarding low sulphur marine gas oil due to a number of reported main engine and auxiliary engine malfunctions in MARPOL designated Emission Control Areas (ECAs) being notice since January 1st, 2015

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All of the incidents occurred either while changing over from heavy fuel oil (HFO) to ECA compliant low Sulphur fuel oil, i.e., low Sulphur marine gas oil (LSMGO), or sometime after the changeover was completed.

Based on the available information, it appears that what many of these cases have in common are leaking. It is likely that many of the leaks would have gone unnoticed or would have been considered minor when using HFO. However, these same leaks are proving problematic when ECA compliant fuel oil is used. A probable cause for this is that the viscosity of LSMGO is lower than for HFO. Another common issue is seized high pressure fuel pumps.

Although the details of how the management and coordination of bunker supplies will vary and are subject to both the charter party agreement and how the ship is traded, e.g., spot market, time charter, etc., it is noted that in accordance with ISM Code requirements the ship manager remains responsible for:

ensuring the supply of quality LSMGO which meets main and auxiliary engine manufacturers’ fuel oil specifications;
ensuring ship’s staff handling of LSMGO to ensure it is not inadvertently co-mingled with HFO or non-compatible LSMGO;
coordination of the ship’s staff change-over from HFO to LSMGO in preparation for the ship’s entrance into a designated ECA, including communications of specific material details about the LSMGO such as its Specific Gravity, concentration of any potential contaminants, etc.; and
ensuring procedural and technical assurances are in place to ensure critical machinery resiliency when running on LSMGO, e.g., greater potential for fuel oil system leaks due to the lighter and less viscous LSMGO.

Unless already done, ship owners and managers are urged to consult with the manufacturer of the main engines and auxiliary engines fitted on their ships and classification society to obtain guidance regarding:

Procedures to changing over to LSMGO
Special operating requirements, e.g., lubricating oil requirements, fuel system settings, etc., when burning LSMGO
Changes to recommended maintenance requirements and
Changes to parts related to the fuel oil injection system.

Ship owners and managers should also review, and if appropriate revise, their safety management system, preventative maintenance system requirements, and list of critical spare parts and stores based on the guidance received. Designated Persons Ashore and ship Superintendents should ensure that Chief Engineers and senior engineers are familiar with these requirements as well as the increased risks associated with burning LSMGO.

The following additional recommendations are based on reports previously received:

• Ensure shore side Technical, Commercial and Supply staffs work closely together to ensure that when ordering fuel oil to ensure that the correct ISO standard, Sulphur content and other technical requirements are specified.

• Review and, as appropriate, revise fuel oil management procedures to ensure:

– fuel oil is not consumed until it has been tested and verified compliant all applicable requirements;

– incompatible fuel oils are not stored in the same tank; and, o bunker tanks are cleaned on a regular basis and kept free of excess buildup of sludge and/or water.

Source: Republic of the Marshall Islands

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