NEWS & UPDATES

FUEL QUALITY - LR FOBAS REPORTS

Thu 16 Dec

updated December 2021

This page contains LR FOBAS Alerts and Bulletins which provide information on fuel related issues, topics covered include: Fuel testing results, Emission Control Areas, guidance related to fuel matters and general global fuel quality issues.

INTERCARGO would like to thank Lloyd’s Register FOBAS for providing these very useful circulars. Further information can be found on the LR website by clicking here

Please see below for the bulletins:

2021

November

  1. High Acid Number Shale oil blended fuels from Singapore (02 November) – Provides information on samples taken in Singapore that indicate a distinct rise in the average acid number  along with a number of results above the 2.50 mg KOH/g ISO 8217 limit. …here
  2. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 15 to 31  October 2021 (05 November)– which  “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 15  to 31 October  2021, during which FOBAS identified 32 cases where the fuel was off spec. …here
  3. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 01  to 14 November 2021 (24 November)– which  “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 01 to 14 Novemberr  2021, during which FOBAS identified 39 cases where the fuel was off spec. …here

October 

  1. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 01 to 14  October 2021 (14 October) – which  “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 01  to 14  October  2021, during which FOBAS identified 35 cases where the fuel was off spec …here

September

  1. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 15 to 31 August 2021 (02 September) – which  “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 15  to 31 August  2021, during which FOBAS identified 42 cases where the fuel was off spec …here

August

  1. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 15 to 31 July 2021 (04 August) – which  “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 15  to 31 July  2021, during which FOBAS identified 50 cases where the fuel was off spec …here
  2. Off Specification High sediment (TSP) fuels from Antwerp (13 August) – provides information on  samples of VLSFO  fuels from Antwerp where the  Total Sediment Potential (TSP)  exceeded the ISO8217 specification limit of 0.10% m/m …here

July – No Bulletins

June

  1. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 01 to 14 June 2021 (17 June) – which  “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 01 to 14 June 2021, during which FOBAS identified 36 cases where the fuel was off spec …here

May

  1. Off Specification Sediment Fuels from Hamburg, Rostock and Travemunde (05 May) – provides information on  samples from Hamburg, Rostock and Travemunde where the  Total Sediment Potential (TSP)  exceeded the ISO8217 specification limit of 0.10% m/m. …here 

April

  1. Off Specification (High Sediment) Fuels from Las Palmas and Houston (09 April) – provides information on  samples from Las Palmas and Houston where the  Total Sediment Potential (TSP)  exceeded the ISO8217 specification limit of 0.10% m/m. ….here
  2. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 01 to 14  April 2021 (15 April) – which  “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 01 to 14 April 2021, during which FOBAS identified 40 cases where the fuel was off spec ….here

March

  1. Additional Sample Analysis to Verify Compliance with Carb Regulation (08 March) – provides information on an additional measure by the California Air Resources Board (CARB)  to verify compliance with the CARB emission regulations for ocean-going vessels….here
  2. High Sediment Fuels from ARA Region  (17 March) – provides information on  samples from ARA where the  Total Sediment Potential (TSP)  exceeded the ISO8217 specification limit of 0.10% m/m. ….here

February

  1. Off Specification Fuels (Water content) from Singapore (12 February) – provides information on samples of ISO-F-RMG380, taken in taken in Singapore,  where  the water content  exceeded the ISO8217 specification limit of 0.5 % v/v…here

January

  1. Low Flash Point Distillate Marine Fuels in Falmouth (22 January) – provides information on samples, taken in Falmouth, of ISO-F-DMA that were tested and had flash points below the 60°C …here
  2. Off Specification Fuels from ARA, Houston and Istanbul (26 January) – provides information on samples of VSLFO fuels , taken in ARA (Antwerp, Rotterdam, Amsterdam), Houston and Istanbul,  where  the Total Sediment Potential (TSP) results exceeded the ISO8217 specification limit of 0.10% m/m. …here

2020

August

  1. Low Flash Point MGO in Singapore (12 August) – provides information on samples, taken in Singapore,  of ISO-F-DMA that were tested and had flash points below the 60oC …here
  2. Off-Spec Fuels Singapore, elevated sediment (13 August) – provides information on samples, taken in Singapore,  of ISO-F-RMG380 that were tested and exceeded the ISO 8217 specification limit of 0.10%m/m for TSP. …here
  3. Off-Spec Fuels Port Elizabeth, elevated sediment (14 August) – provides information on samples, taken in Port Elizabeth,  of ISO-F-RMG380 that were tested and exceeded the ISO 8217 specification limit of 0.10%m/m for TSP. …here
  4. Off-Spec Fuels Zona Comun, high water content (17 August) –provides information on samples, taken from Zona Comun,  of ISO-F-RMG380 that were tested and exceeded the ISO 8217 specification limit of 0.50 % v/v for water content. …here
  5. South Korean SECA (18 August) – brings attention to the South Korean Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA) will come into force on 1st September 2020 that will affect a number of South Korean ports. …here
  6. Off-Spec Fuels Rotterdam, elevated sediment (19 August) – provides information on samples, taken in Rotterdam,  of VLSFO and ULSFO that were tested and exceeded the ISO 8217 specification limit of 0.10%m/m for TS. …here

July – No Bulletins

June – No Bulletins

May

  1. Low Flashpoint Fuel Antwerp – provides information on distillate marine fuel oil recently bunkered  Antwerp where the tested flashpoint was below the minimum SOLAS level of 60oC. …here
  2. South Korean SECA – provides information on the upcoming South Korean SECA (Sulphur Emission Control Area) which will come into force on the 1st September 2020. ...here   

April – No Bulletins

March

  1. Large Bunker Quantity Shortages Encountered With VLSFO Fuels – provides information on number of large discrepancy incidents and shortages in Bunker Surveys. …here

February

  1. Elevated Sediment Fuels from Rotterdam (03 February) – provides information on fuels from Rotterdam where Total Sediment Potential  (TSP) results were above the ISO 8217:2017 limit of 0.10 % mass. Results range from 0.17 to 0.26 % mass…here

January

  1. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 15 to 31 December 2019 (06 January) – which “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question.” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 15 to 31 December 2019, during which FOBAS identified 105 cases where the fuel was off spec.. …here
  2. Elevated Sediment Fuels from Greek Ports (31 January) – provides information on fuels from Piraeus and Kali Limenes where Total Sediment Potential  (TSP) results were above the ISO 8217:2017 limit of 0.10 % mass. Results range from 0.2 to 0.47 % mass. …here

2019

December

  1. Sediment & Wax Precipitation Point (SWPP) (03 December) –provides information on an additional test called SWPP (Sediments & Wax Precipitation Point) on low viscosity VLSFO residual fuel oils that FOBAS labs are now able to provide. …here
  2. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 15 to 30 November 2019 (06 December) – which “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO 8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question.” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 15 to 30 November 2019, during which FOBAS identified 94 cases where the fuel was off spec….here
  3. Off Spec Sediment Fuels from ARA region (16 December) – informs about the continuing number of fuels with off spec Total Sediment levels from Antwerp and other ports in the ARA area. …here
  4. Estonian Shale Oil in VLSFO fuels from ARA (17 December) – provides information on VLSFO fuels from the ARA region that contain high concentrations of “…Resorcinol’s, phenols and other oxygenated compounds not usually found in marine fuels.”  These compounds are associated with Estonian Shale Oil, whilst Shale Oil is not considered a contaminant it can cause problems under certain conditions, and there is evidence that Estonian Shale Oil has caused sludging. …here
  5. Off Specification Sediment VLSFO from Singapore (18 December) – provides information on VLSFO fuels from Singapore “…where Total Sediment Potential results were above the ISO 8217:2017 limit of 0.10 % m/m. Results range from 0.16 to 0.21 %m/m.” High sediments can lead to excessive sludge deposits in the fuel storage, handling and treatment systems. …here

November

  1. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 15 to 31 October 2019 (08 November) – which “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question.” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 15 to 31 October 2019, during which FOBAS identified 112 cases where the fuel was off spec. …here
  2. LR FOBAS Bulletin LR Horizons Sulphur Cap (11 November)  –  provides a link to a LR Horizons special edition which focuses on the Global Sulphur Cap    and  “….provides some commentary from our experts on key issues the shipping industry will face and how you can be best prepared to ensure the transition to Very Low Sulphur Fuels (VLSFO) is as smooth as possible. This edition also provides some insight from a ship owner’s point of view and their opinions on the main challenges faced.”…here
  3. Off Spec Sediment Fuels from Antwerp (12 November) –  provides information on fuels from Antwerp that were found to have off  spec sediment levels. …here

October

  1. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 01 to 14 October 2019 (16 October) – which “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question.” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 01 to 14 October 2019, during which FOBAS identified 102 cases where the fuel was off spec. …here
  2. High Water in fuels from Balboa, Panama (16 October) – provides  information on fuels from Balboa, Panama that exceeded the 0.50% limit for Water Content (as per ISO 8217:2017 specification) with  tested fuels having  water limits ranging between 0.90% to 1.10%.  …here
  3. Bunker Supplier Inter-Pacific Petroleum Licence Revoked (18 October) – provides information on the revoking of  a Singapore Bunker Supplier licence. …here
  4. High Acid number and possible contamination of fuels in Fujairah (25 October) – provides information on a number of fuel samples from Fujairah that have an elevated Total Acid Number (TAN). …here
  5. LR Guidelines for the Management of Consumables and Waste Products for Ships Fitted With Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (25 October) – “It is estimated that by start of 2020, approximately 4~5% of world fleet would be installed with EGCS. In view of the increasing number of vessels fitted with EGCS, Lloyd’s Register have developed guidelines by working alongside industry partners on how to manage the consumables and waste materials collected during the EGCS operations on-board.” …here

September

  1. ISO Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 23263 (19 September) – “provides information about the recently released PAS 23263 ‘Considerations for fuel suppliers and users regarding marine fuel quality in view of the implementation of maximum 0.50% sulphur in 2020.” …here
  2. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 01 to 14 September 2019 (25 September) – which “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question.” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 01 to 14 September 2019, during which FOBAS identified 73 cases where the fuel was off spec.” …here

August

  1. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 15 to 31 July 2019 (01 August) – which “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question.” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 15 to 31 July 2019, during which FOBAS identified 96 cases where the fuel was off spec.” …here
  2. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 01 to 14 August 2019 (15 August) – which “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question.” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 01 to 14 2019, during which FOBAS identified 65 cases where the fuel was off spec.”  …here

July

  1. US Coast Guard Marine Safety Bulletin (02 July) – provides information on a “..recently issued a bulletin outlining changes to the notification procedure to the US authorities about the non-availability of a compliant fuel.” …here
  2. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 15 to 30 June 2019 (04 July) – which “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question.” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 15 to 30 June 2019, during which FOBAS identified 63 cases where the fuel was off spec.” …here
  3. High catfines levels in fuels from Chennai, India (10 July) – provides information on recent fuel samples from Chennai, India  which had high Aluminium and Silicon (catfines) levels.  “The fuels tested had values of these catfines ranging between 79 to 110 mg/kg” …here
  4. Update on contaminated fuels from St Petersburg, Russia (12 July) – provides an update on the previously reported contaminated bunkers that were supplied in St. Petersburg. ...here
  5. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 01 to 14 July 2019 (17 July) – which “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question.” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 14 to 30 July 2019, during which FOBAS identified 59 cases where the fuel was off spec.” …here

June

  1. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 15 to 31 May 2019 (03 June) – which “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question.” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 15 to 31 May 2019, during which FOBAS identified 58 cases where the fuel was off spec.” …here
  2. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 01 to 14 June 2019 (17 June) – which “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question.” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 01 to 14 June 2019, during which FOBAS identified 63 cases where the fuel was off spec.” …here
  3. Contaminated fuels from St Petersburg, Russia (26 June) – provides information on samples bunkered in St Petersburg, Russia, that were  ordered as ISO-F-RMG380 grade and met specification for table 2 of ISO 8217.  However, various problems such as damage to, plungers,  M/E Filters  and A/E filters have been reported when using these fuels. …here

May

  1. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 15 to 30 April 2019 (03 May) – which “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question.” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 15 to 30 April 2019, during which FOBAS identified 69 cases where the fuel was off spec.” …here
  2. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 01 to 14 May 2019 (16 May) – which “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question.” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 01 to 14 May 2019, during which FOBAS identified 58 cases where the fuel was off spec.” …here
  3. IMO2020 – 7 months to go! (21 May) – provides “…an update on key questions related to the implementation of MARPOL Annex VI regulation 14.1.3 coming into force on 1st January 2020.” …here

April

  1. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 15 to 31 March 2019 (04 April) – which “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question.” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 15 to 31 March 2019, during which FOBAS identified 105 cases where the fuel was off spec.” …here
  2. High Acid number and possible contamination of fuels in Fujairah (12 April) – FOBAS had  tested fuel samples from Fujairah which had elevated acid number (TAN), The tested values were all above the average for Fujairah  (0.12mgKOH/g).  …here

March

  1. Compatibility of fuels in view of IMO2020 (01 March) – provides information on fuel compatibility testing services provided by FOBAS. ...here
  2. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 15 to 28 February 2019 (05 March) – which “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question.” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 15 to 28 February 2019, during which FOBAS identified 73 cases where the fuel was off spec.” …here
  3. Low Flash Point Residual Fuels in Singapore (14 March) – provides information on a number of samples from Singapore, which tested flash points were below the 60°C. …here
  4. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 01 to 14 March 2019 (18 March) – which “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question.” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 01 to 14 March 2019, during which FOBAS identified 61 cases where the fuel was off spec.” …here

February

  1. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 15 to 31 January 2019 (01 February) – which “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question.” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 15 to 31 January 2019, during which FOBAS identified 91 cases where the fuel was off spec.” …here
  2. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 01 to 14 February 2019 (15 February) – which “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question.” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 01 to 14 February 2019, during which FOBAS identified 48 cases where the fuel was off spec.” …here

January

  1. Geographical scope of Chinese Domestic Emission Control Areas (04 January)– provides information on the geographical scope of the Chinese Domestic Emission Control Areas (DECA’s) that came into force on 01 January 2019. …here
  2. LR  FOBAS biweekly fuel quality report for the period 15 to 31 December 2019 (07 January) – which “…contains a global listing of bunkers supplied along with the test parameters, which were either off-specification according to ISO8217 or did not meet the ordered criteria for the fuel in question.” (FOBAS). The Report covers the period 15 to 31 December 2019, during which FOBAS identified 57 cases where the fuel was off spec.” …here
  3. Off Spec Sediment Fuels from Singapore (09 January)  – provides information on bunkers from Singapore. Testing of samples has shown “…sediment being above the limit as specified in ISO 8217 for an RMG380” …here

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