Asia/Pacific News
Maritec-Naias Finds High Chemical Compounds in Malaysia Bunker Fuels
Fuel testing agency Maritec-Naias has found high levels of chemical compounds in several bunker fuel samples taken from vessels that bunkered at Malaysian ports between April 15 and July 15.
Five samples contained phenolic compounds and alkylresorcinols at 1,070-9,994 ppm, while three had reactive hydrocarbons at 4,500-20,000 ppm, it said in an emailed update on Monday.
GC-MS testing found compounds including styrene and its derivatives, dicyclopentadiene, dihydro-dicyclopentadiene and indene.
Some vessels reported excessive sludge in purifiers and wear and tear of fuel pumps.
Maritec-Naias said the alkylresorcinols may have come from non-petroleum cutter stocks such as Estonian shale oil. The reactive hydrocarbons could have originated from ethylene cracker by-products.
The company said the affected fuels appeared to have been blended with low-quality marine fuels, possibly amid higher bunker prices during the war in the Middle East.
It considers the fuels off-spec under clause 5 of ISO 8217 and MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 18.
Maritec-Naias recommended closer monitoring of purifiers and filters, more frequent de-sludging and avoiding mixing the fuels with other marine fuels.
The company stressed that the findings do not represent the overall quality of bunker fuel supplied in Malaysia.
Key Bunker Prices More
| VLSFO | MGO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $/mt | +/- | $/mt | +/- | |
| Singapore | 865.50 | 8.50 | 1289.50 | 14.50 |
| Rotterdam | 686.50 | 12.00 | 1390.00 | 40.00 |
| Houston | 740.50 | 7.50 | 1388.00 | 1.50 |
| Fujairah | 963.50 | 12.50 | 1666.50 | 19.50 |
| APAC Average | 999.00 | 0.00 | 1492.50 | 1.50 |
| Global 20 Ports Average | 876.00 | 6.00 | 1520.50 | 13.50 |
| Global 4 Ports Average | 814.00 | 10.00 | 1433.50 | 18.00 |
| Global Average Bunker Price | 935.00 | 3.00 | 1594.00 | 14.00 |
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