FOBAS Alert: Low Flash Point Distillate Marine Fuels in Falmouth

by FOBAS
Monday January 25, 2021

In recent weeks, FOBAS has tested several samples from Falmouth, which were ordered as ISO-F-DMA grades, having tested flash points below the 60°C SOLAS minimum limit for marine fuel oil.

Although the tested results range from 58 to 59 °C, however as they are below the minimum limit set out in SOLAS, these fuels are classed as off specification. It should be noted that SOLAS refers to minimum of 60 °C flash point for marine fuels and therefore no test tolerance range applies to the limit of 60 Deg C which is considered as absolute.

As a first step for any ship having bunkered fuel with a low flash point, it is recommended that ship should contact the ship's flag, classification society and the insurance underwriters immediately for further advice.

Secondly further samples from the top of relevant storage tanks should be taken to confirm the flash point of the fuel in tanks as it can be the case that low flash point have been due to some of the low flash components in the fuel which are prone to evaporate giving rise to the flash point of fuel.
Best practice safety guidelines should be followed to reduce the potential risk due to low flash point fuel;

  • Maintain fuel temperatures in storage tanks at minimum possible.
  • Check fuel tank vent gauze condition.
  • Keep relevant tanks well ventilated to minimise accumulation of flammable gases.
  • Avoid hot work and smoking or any other heat source in the vicinity of fuel storage tanks and vents. Observe any other relevant safety procedures contained in international safety code

If your ships are planning to bunker at this port, we recommend that suppliers are advised of your concerns regarding the flash point of the fuel and that they provide you with additional reassurance that they will meet the SOLAS requirements for marine fuel oils.

Additional attention should be given to the collection of bunker samples. It should be ensured that all parties have witnessed the sampling process and have signed witness forms accordingly, and that the supporting documentation includes records of all the samples considered representative of the fuel as loaded.

If you require any further information about this Bulletin, please contact us at fobas@lr.org or speak to one of our consultants on +44 (0)330 414 1000 (Southampton UK), +44 (0)1642 440991 Redcar (UK), +65 3163 0888 (Singapore), +30 211 990 7732 (Greece). For anything urgent, please contact us via our out of office number, +44 (0)1642 425660.

About Lloyd’s Register

LR

Lloyd's Register provides independent assurance and expert advice to companies operating high-risk, capital-intensive assets in the marine, energy and transportation sectors.

Our Marine Services

We are a leading provider of marine classification services around the world, helping ensure that internationally recognised safety and environmental standards are maintained at every stage of a ship's life.

But we provide much more than traditional classification. We understand that in today's complex marine industry our clients are facing challenges to achieve the best possible performance from their assets and operations. We work closely with all industry stakeholders – shipowners, operators, charterers, designers, shipyards, equipment suppliers and port authorities – to support compliance with regulations, understand and manage the application of new technology and innovation, assess the risks of novel concepts and make them a reality, and achieve greater operational and energy efficiency through optimisation. Every service we offer is based on our technical insight and extensive experience, which means we can help our clients make informed decisions to improve performance and achieve their operating goals.

To contact the editor responsible for this story email us at editor@shipandbunker.com