Tag: fuel testing

In two enlightening webinars last month, experts from the UK P&I Club's Singapore office addressed the topic of bunker quality claims and the technical aspects of a fuel quality claim. They discussed many issues, from the various aspects of testing to compliance in order to provide feedback on doubts related to the practical and operational aspects of handling fuel. 

SAFETY4SEA is pleased to announce that Lloyd’s Register FOBAS has received the 2020 GREEN4SEA Clean Shipping Award, sponsored by ERMA FIRST S.A., at a prestigious award ceremony which successfully concluded on March 3rd at Yacht Club of Greece in Athens, the evening ahead of the 2020 GREEN4SEA Athens Forum.

The newly-published "CIMAC Guideline: Marine fuel handling in connection to stability and compatibility" focuses on the upcoming 2020 sulphur cap and assists owners and provides a practical and working understanding of stability and compatibility of marine fuel oils.

The previous week FOBAS tested a number of fuels from Fujairah that contained elevated acid number (TAN). The tested TAN values were all well above the average for the port (0.12mgKOH/g). Therefore, FOBAS alerts that any such contaminants even at low levels contravenes the stipulations of Revised MARPOL Annex VI regulation 18.3 and International Marine Fuel Standard ISO 8217, Clause 5.

The Lloyd’s Register Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) released an alert on 14 March, in which it warned all shipowners and operators regarding low flash point residual fuels at Singapore. The tested flash points were below the 60°C SOLAS minimum limit, with the results varying between 55 and 58 °C.

Blue Fin Tankers,  part of the Heidmar tanker pool, claims the marine fuel supplier delivered bunkers that were off-spec and not suitable to use. Mainly,  Blue Fin ordered 800 - 1,000 metric tonnes of IFO 180 cSt RMG 180 at $508 per ton to be delivered to the M/V Ridgebury Alina L  at the Mauritian port. The vessel was under charter to Resource Marine Pte Ltd. for a voyage from Freeport, Bahamas to Singapore.

IUMI, the International Union of Marine Insurance, forces refineries to test on low sulphur fuels ahead of the introduction of the global sulphur cap on 2020. IUMI stated that fuel testing is undertaken by the end-user but this has to change. IUMI is calling for regulation that obliges refineries to guarantee the quality of their fuel and for vessel operators to improve their systems, processes and training to protect their vessels against the potential impact of using low sulphur bunkers.

Maritime Blockchain Labs (MBL), a partnership between Lloyd’s Register Foundation and BLOC, announced a real-world testing phase for a technology solution that improves traceability and trust in bunker fuel supply chain.

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.