Fuel testing agency Maritec-Naias has identified eight bunker fuel samples supplied in Indonesia with flashpoints below the SOLAS-mandated minimum of 60°C, according to an emailed notification reported by Ship & Bunker.
The affected samples, comprising LSMDO and B40 marine biofuel, were tested between July 21 and August 4. Maritec-Naias reported that the lowest recorded flashpoint among the samples was 39.5°C, well under the regulatory threshold. Notably, all eight non-compliant samples originated from a single supplier, the testing agency said.
Regulatory Context
According to Maritec-Naias, the results indicate the fuels failed to meet flashpoint requirements under both SOLAS and ISO 8217 standards. SOLAS generally mandates that fuel carried in a ship’s tanks maintain a flashpoint of at least 60°C, while MARPOL Annex VI requires bunker delivery notes to either state the actual flashpoint or confirm it meets or exceeds 70°C.
The testing agency also noted that SOLAS amendments taking effect in January 2026 will require suppliers to provide a signed declaration prior to bunkering, confirming that the fuel meets applicable flashpoint standards.
Recommended Precautions
Maritec-Naias advised that when ordering fuels from Indonesia, buyers should insist on obtaining actual flashpoint values directly from suppliers rather than relying solely on documentation.
For vessels already carrying low-flashpoint fuel, the agency recommended several precautionary measures, including maintaining tank-vent flame screens and preventing ignition sources near vents. It further advised notifying both the fuel supplier and the vessel’s P&I club. Maritec-Naias added that vessels at sea may also pursue a flag-state dispensation until reaching their next port of call.
Does this matter to you?
This development is directly relevant to parties involved in bunkering operations in Indonesian ports, particularly those sourcing LSMDO or B40 biofuel blends. Low-flashpoint fuel poses a safety hazard, as it increases the risk of ignition during storage, handling, and transfer operations aboard vessels.
Bunker buyers and vessel operators sourcing fuel from Indonesia may want to take note of Maritec-Naias’s advice to verify actual flashpoint values before accepting deliveries, rather than relying on paperwork alone. The upcoming SOLAS amendments requiring signed pre-bunkering declarations, effective January 2026, add a further layer of accountability that market participants should be aware of.
Since all eight non-compliant samples were traced to one supplier, according to Maritec-Naias, this may warrant additional scrutiny for those with existing or planned supply arrangements involving that source, though the supplier’s identity was not disclosed in the source material.
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 (Maritec-Naias)
