Fuel testing agency Maritec-Naias has identified elevated levels of chemical compounds in multiple bunker fuel samples drawn from vessels that bunkered at Malaysian ports between April 15 and July 15, according to Ship & Bunker.
In an emailed update issued Monday, Maritec-Naias reported that five samples contained phenolic compounds and alkylresorcinols at concentrations ranging from 1,070 to 9,994 ppm, while three samples showed reactive hydrocarbons at levels between 4,500 and 20,000 ppm, Ship & Bunker reports.
What the Testing Revealed
GC-MS analysis detected a range of compounds, including styrene and its derivatives, dicyclopentadiene, dihydro-dicyclopentadiene, and indene, according to the report. Some vessels affected by the fuel reported excessive sludge buildup in purifiers along with wear and tear on fuel pumps, Ship & Bunker notes.
Maritec-Naias suggested the alkylresorcinols may have originated from non-petroleum cutter stocks, such as Estonian shale oil, while the reactive hydrocarbons could be linked to ethylene cracker by-products, as reported by Ship & Bunker.
Possible Cause Linked to Market Conditions
According to the report, Maritec-Naias believes the affected fuels appear to have been blended with low-quality marine fuels, potentially as a result of higher bunker prices driven by the war in the Middle East. The company classified the fuels as off-specification under clause 5 of ISO 8217 and MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 18, Ship & Bunker states.
To mitigate risks, Maritec-Naias recommended closer monitoring of purifiers and filters, more frequent de-sludging, and avoiding the mixing of the affected fuels with other marine fuels, according to the report. The company emphasized that these findings do not reflect the overall quality of bunker fuel supplied across Malaysia, Ship & Bunker notes.
Does This Matter to You?
Vessel operators bunkering in Malaysian ports during the April-July window may want to review fuel quality records and monitor purifier and fuel pump performance, based on the operational issues described in the source report. The identification of specific off-spec compounds under ISO 8217 and MARPOL Annex VI could be relevant for engineers assessing fuel handling procedures and for parties involved in fuel quality disputes.
The source material does not specify which suppliers or terminals were involved, nor the total number of vessels affected, so the broader scope of impact on trading patterns or specific supply chains remains unclear based on available information.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
