Shipowners navigating the complex waters of global trade are facing an escalating challenge in Asia: tainted marine fuel. Already contending with volatile prices and supply chain disruptions, the emergence of contaminated bunkers adds a critical layer of operational risk, threatening vessel integrity and performance across key Asian bunkering hubs.
Leading marine insurer Skuld has issued a stark advisory, alerting its members to a concerning pattern of on-spec but problematic fuel being supplied across Asia, particularly in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. While these bunkers initially appear to meet standard ISO 8217 parameters, advanced Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) testing has unveiled elevated concentrations of specific hydrocarbon compounds, phenolic compounds, and alkylresorcinol derivatives. These characteristics are highly consistent with the presence of shale oil components.
Skuld‘s analysis identified significant levels of compounds such as dihydro-dicyclopentadiene and indene, ranging from 5,000 to 14,000 parts per million (ppm), alongside alkylresorcinol concentrations between 4,700 and 6,000 ppm. The insurer noted similar high concentrations were previously observed in VLSFO from the ARA region in 2019, often linked to Estonian shale oil.
Despite shale oil not being classified as a contaminant under ISO 8217, Skuld cautions that its presence in high concentrations can lead to severe operational headaches for vessels. Potential issues include:
- Sludge formation
- Filter and purifier fouling
- Fuel injection system issues
- Poor engine performance
The insurer also raised concerns about potential deliberate malpractice, suggesting that some bunker suppliers might be intentionally blending lower-quality marine fuels to capitalize on sharply rising prices, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions.
This warning from Skuld echoes a similar alert issued earlier by VPS, a specialist in fuel testing. VPS identified elevated shale oil components in VLSFO samples taken in Singapore, noting phenolic compounds at concentrations between 4,000 and 13,200 ppm, with acid numbers nearing the ISO 8217 limit. While no immediate operational issues were reported at the time of VPS‘s alert, the firm cautioned against potential delayed impacts and urged enhanced monitoring and meticulous fuel management.
To mitigate these growing risks, Skuld advises shipowners to adopt a proactive approach:
- Conduct thorough vetting of bunker suppliers.
- Request explicit clarity on the blending components used in their marine fuel.
- Commission extended GCMS testing, emphasizing that standard ISO 8217 analysis alone is insufficient to detect the problematic phenolic compounds.
As shipowners navigate an already challenging economic landscape, the threat of tainted bunkers in Asia presents a significant new hurdle. Vigilance, advanced testing, and stringent supplier scrutiny are paramount to safeguarding vessel operations and ensuring the integrity of the global marine fuel supply chain.
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