News: High sediment reported in test samples of IMO 2020-fuel blends

​The club would like to highlight to members a recent article published in TradeWinds reporting high sediment levels in many test samples of 0.5% sulphur fuel produced from the blending process to meet the IMO 2020 requirements. 

In accordance with the ISO 8217:2017 standards, bunker fuel should contain no more than 0.10% m/m sediment. However, the tests done by AmSpec Services and FOBAS on the low-sulphur marine blends acquired in Houston, Singapore, Antwerp and other European ports have found higher sediment levels - ranging from 0.16 to 0.21% m/m. 
 
Fuels with high sediment levels can result in excessive sludge in tanks and throughout the handling and treatment systems, which could clog and damage the ship’s engine.
 
Members are recommended to manage the fuel oil supply to their ships with extra care. Information regarding the stability of the fuel in the region together with bunker supplier’s reassurance on compliance with ISO 8217 requirements should be obtained prior to any agreement. Due care should be given to the witnessing and collection of bunker samples, which should be representative of the fuel supplied.
 
For more details on the risks associated with new fuel blends and recommendations on how to handle such situations, members are recommended to refer to the club’s article published in October: Use of IMO 2020 Compliant Fuels. 

类别: Alternative Fuels, Pollution