Ships See Problems From Low-Sulfur Switch

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Wednesday October 3, 2012

As lower-sulfur fuel regulations go into effect for larger swaths of the globe, some ships are having difficulty making the transition, according to a report by the UK P&I Club.

In particular, the report highlighted that "ships regularly seem to be experiencing power losses, invariably at critical times in their manoeuvres," which were attributed to "fuel problems."

The club found that 11 percent of the 249 ships' crews questioned said they have experienced problems complying with low-sulfur fuel regulations, and the club said the problems may spread as more emission control areas (ECAs) are added and enforcement of the regulations is stepped up.

Ten chief engineers reported supply and storage problems related to the less-polluting fuel, with storage problems presenting a particular problem for older ships that lack dedicated settling/service tanks for both fuel types.

Nine ships experienced problems with machinery operation when using the new fuel type, with issues including fuel oil lubrication of pumps and nozzles, sticking fuel pumps, generator starting problems, fuel oil leakage, and delayed pick-up speed of engines.

Seven ships had compatibility issues between the two fuel types, with purifiers requiring more cleaning and filters becoming blocked.

The North American ECA went into effect at the start of August, increasing the demand for the low-sulfur fuel to as much as 50% of the total U.S. market.

An August investigation by DNV found that about 10 percent of ECA compliant fuel is off specification and doesn't meet the 1 percent sulfur limit.

Ship & Bunker News Team
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