Historical timeline tracking Brent prices alongside critical parameter notifications, relative to frequency. Image and Chart Credit: Integr8 Fuels

Bunker firm Integr8 Fuels has warned that growing volatility in global oil markets amid the Iran conflict may increase bunker fuel quality risks.

The bunker market is showing signs similar to those seen before the 2018 Houston fuel contamination case and the 2022 Singapore HSFO contamination incident, it said in its bunker quality report published on Thursday.

Integr8 said rising bunker prices, shifting crude flows and tighter blending economics are putting pressure on the marine fuel pool.

The company’s data showed residual fuel specification exceedance rates at major bunker hubs rose from 1.8% in January-February to 2.6% in March-April, with HSFO showing the strongest increase.

Singapore HSFO samples showed higher ash, sodium and water levels, while Greater Houston HSFO showed a heavier residual fuel profile with rising density, ash and metals levels.

Integr8 also pointed to recent alerts in Singapore involving VLSFO fuels containing phenolic compounds and components linked to Estonian shale oil streams.

“The conclusion is not that the market is heading for another incident like Houston in 2018 or Singapore in 2022, Chris Turner, technical manager at Integr8 Fuels, said in the report.

“That would be too simplistic, and the data does not yet support it.

“The more important conclusion is that the conditions which allow quality risk to build are clearly present again.”