World News
DVNPS: Low-Sulfur Demand Raises Fuel Threats
The head of DNV Petroleum Services (DNVPS) in Fujairah is warning that rising demand for low-sulfur bunkers will raise the risk of off-spec fuel, Seatrade Global reports.
Gunnar Kjeldsen said wider sourcing of heavy fuel and more blending may lead to problems in bunker quality in coming months, threatening damage to ships' engines.
Potential problems include high density, high water content, cat fines, and low flash point, Kjeldsen said.
He said DNVPS 24-hour tests can identify these problems for a few hundred dollars.
Paul Hill, technical consultancy Braemar SA's chief surveyor for Western Europe recently said that operators need to use rigorous fuel management procedures to ensure the quality of the fuel they use, as the marine insurance industry faces the potential for increased claims due to engine damage caused by cat fines.
Levels of aluminum and silicon (A1 + Si) in fuel at US ports rose from around 35 mg/kg to almost 40 mg/kg when the North American Emissions Control Area (ECA) went into effect, and alerts regarding off-spec fuel rose significantly.
Key Bunker Prices More
| VLSFO | MGO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $/mt | +/- | $/mt | +/- | |
| Singapore | 502.00 | 4.50 | 617.00 | 5.50 |
| Rotterdam | 457.50 | 2.50 | 623.50 | 6.50 |
| Houston | 469.00 | 3.50 | 623.00 | 2.00 |
| Fujairah | 494.50 | 6.50 | 715.50 | 5.50 |
| Global 20 Ports Average | 526.00 | 3.00 | 712.50 | 11.50 |
| Global 4 Ports Average | 481.00 | 4.00 | 645.00 | 4.50 |
| Global Average Bunker Price | 569.00 | 2.00 | 750.00 | 5.50 |
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