Tag: fuel quality

During the first SAFETY4SEA Conference in Singapore, Mr. Sean Hutchings, Chief Technical Officer, Thome Group of Companies, discussed what key environmental fuel options are available for operators to achieve compliance with the upcoming 2020 Sulphur cap and shared his experience on the hidden challenges surrounding each choice.

In March 2018, almost 100 ships presented operational problems using residual fuels bunkered in Houston. The International Council of Combustion Engines reviewed the reported cases and concluded that until now there is no explanation regarding the root cause of the mentioned incidents.

During November the European ARBAHEAT consortium will launch a research project to study the shift the ENGIE Ultra-SuperCritical coal-fired Rotterdam power plant into a biomass-fired heat and power plant. The four-year demonstration project's goal is to achieve the EU sustainability goals.

After a number of ships experienced fuel contamination problems with seemingly on-spec fuels, many worry that such cases will increase as the market is fearful about the quality of fuel bends provided to meet the new 0.50% sulphur limit in 2020. However, IBIA notes that 'the contamination cases are completely unrelated to low sulphur fuel oil blending'.

The Institute of Bunker Buyers and Consumers is still 'extremely concerned' about the outbreak of contaminated fuel, which originated in the US earlier this year, and then spread further to Panama Canal, Singapore and the far East. As IBBC said, many operators have been affected, and the incidences have caused serious problems.

Gard P&I Club focuses on contaminated bunkers and how to protect the purchaser. Namely, the Club sheds light on the bunker supplier and the supply contract and provides a summary of the current situation. Gard mentioned that bunker quality disputes can be very lengthy, costly and complex but can be avoided with a right decision.

As the issues with contaminated bunker supplies in the Houston area seem to acquire a global dimension, the Standard P&I Club published loss prevention advice informing that this issue is related to over 150 claims worldwide, including a ship grounding directly attributed to the use of these contaminated bunkers.

Recent reports of a rise in fuel contamination cases have increased the industry’s concerns over quality of blended fuels. From 1 January 2020, a spike in demand for new low sulphur blends will greatly increase the risk of contamination, argues Lars Robert Pedersen, Deputy Secretary General of BIMCO.

After the recent contamination in marine fuel that clogged and damaged ship engines in Singapore, HFW focused on the inadequacy of ISO 8217 to detect these contaminants. The law firm also questions whether it is practical or feasible to overhaul the ISO 8217.

After recent reports about fuel contamination at the Port of Houston initially, and then in Panama and Singapore, Intertanko blamed maritime authorities that they have not taken enough action to tackle this problem, which has caused issues to many ships. As a result, Intertanko fears that this will become a global epidemic.