Industry Insight: The Importance of Bunker Fuel Quality Testing and its Impact on the Shipping World

One of the biggest challenges faced by any company offering routine analysis of marine fuel is the transportation of test samples across the globe.

Laboratories capable of ISO 8217 analysis of the product supplied are rarely situated in port in which the fuel is loaded and the transportation aspect of the overall testing package can be overlooked by Ship Owners / Operators who are more focused on the outcome of the analysis itself.

However, the transportation aspect of the service is not only the rate (speed rate or financial rate?) defining step in the provision of analysis data to the vessel and its owner, but offers a constant logistical challenge, especially in relation to both global and local customs regulations.

Bunker Fuel Testing

For conscientious ship owners / operators bunker fuel testing is a top priority and routine analysis using a quality control program, such as the Intertek Lintec ShipCare initiative, ensures that lengthy delays and unnecessary costs are avoided.

Those owners / operators who submit fuel samples as part of a routine analysis program (and appreciate that not all testing will be provided locally) are then reliant upon the vessel's agent or a courier company to arrange the transportation of the samples to the appropriate test facility.

Reliance upon an agent or a courier can be problematic, especially when sudden changes in requirements for transport of liquid fuel samples are witnessed. Such changes can incur severe delays which then impact upon the overall operation of the vessel. 

A good example of this was witnessed in China, in the run up to the Beijing Olympics in 2008, where local customs regulations were altered and as a result significantly affected the shipment of liquid fuel samples. These new rules were upheld after the completion of the games and are still enforced today. To overcome any delays or problems in relation to customs requirements for ShipCare clients, steps were subsequently taken to ensure all samples landed in China are tested locally.

However, this hasn't been the only significant change in recent years. Alterations to customs regulations in certain South American countries have also provided a headache. In some cases regulations even vary from port to port within the same country to fall in line with localised requirements.

New Types of Fuel

The development of new types of fuel to meet with environmental legislation could also prove to be problematic. As a wider range of products are examined for suitability for use within the marine sector, the idea of sample transit must be considered such that samples are packaged appropriately and do not contravene requirements for air travel, particularly with regard to the flash point of the product.

Any delay in the transit of a fuel sample, whether it is the result of a customs delay or a sample that has been incorrectly labelled, can place a vessel in a position where it is required to use a non-tested fuel. This sort of situation can force ship owners /operators to decide upon a course of action which could ultimately lead to unnecessary risk to the welfare of the crew as well as the vessel.

Like many service providers, ShipCare offers a global infrastructure of laboratory test facilities at strategic locations across the world. However, many ship owners / operators aren't simply looking for a service provider that offers support via experience, but one who is capable of taking a proactive approach.

As far as the ShipCare initiative is concerned this proactive approach is in the form of the Priority Advantage Desk (PAD)

Priority Advantage Desk

The PAD is a unique service offered to ShipCare clients which takes the responsibility away from the vessel or vessels agents as far as sample collection and delivery is concerned. This strategic co-operation with ShipCare's long standing courier partner, DHL, minimises collection / transit delays and allows the samples to be received by the test laboratory at the earliest opportunity.

The strategic use of available laboratory facilities, in conjunction with an extensive logistics network, will go a long way to ensuring clients' test requirements are met in as short a time as possible.

By utilising a logistics network with a comprehensive knowledge of customs and transport requirements, as well as experience of laboratory capabilities, ship owners / operators can be offered the reassurance they need to place control of sample transit in the hands of their provider rather than leaving it to chance.