World News
IBIA: Bunker Quality is Decreasing
Poor quality ship fuel is a significant and growing problem, Jens Maul Jørgensen, incoming chairman of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA), told industry news site ShippingWatch.
"We're seeing examples of different bunker qualities on the market, and that quality is decreasing," said Jørgensen, who is head of bunker for Oldendorff Carriers GmbH.
"We're also looking at suppliers mixing bunker to a poorer quality, and of course the organization can't accept that."
Fuel quality controls by Intertek Lintec Shipcare show that 18 to 20 percent of samples have some type of impurity under its strict guidelines.
"This doesn't necessarily mean that companies are cheating on purpose, but we might be looking at a case where several suppliers are taking it to the limit," Jørgensen said.
"That's one of the jobs facing me when I assume the chairmanship, and I'll be calling for increased transparency on this matter."
Det Norske Veritas Petroleum Services (DNVPS) said that about 30 percent of low-sulfur bunker fuel tested in 2012 was off spec.
Key Bunker Prices More
| VLSFO | MGO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $/mt | +/- | $/mt | +/- | |
| Singapore | 504.50 | 2.50 | 620.00 | 3.00 |
| Rotterdam | 456.00 | 1.50 | 621.50 | 2.00 |
| Houston | 476.00 | 7.00 | 624.00 | 1.00 |
| Fujairah | 496.50 | 2.00 | 713.00 | 2.50 |
| Global 20 Ports Average | 526.50 | 0.50 | 712.00 | 0.50 |
| Global 4 Ports Average | 483.00 | 2.00 | 644.50 | 0.50 |
| Global Average Bunker Price | 570.50 | 1.50 | 751.00 | 1.00 |
Popular Now More
-
Apr 23Initial Ship & Bunker analysis shows ships would need to use between 17.6% and 23.3% biofuel in B100 terms to avoid penalty charges in 2028. -
Apr 24Suppliers in South Korea are already shifting to the use of MFMs, and barge fees are likely to rise in the country as a result, a local source tells Ship & Bunker. -
Apr 24FincoEnergies has partially acquired the business operations of bunker supplier Oliehandel Klaas de Boer.