IBIA sees rise in marine fuel quality

摘要

Ship bunker fuel quality is improving, according to the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA), which attributes this in part to its campaign on the issue. On 9 February, IBIA chairman Jens Maul Jorgensen said early results for 2015 showed a marked improvement in bunker fuel quality. While 10% of samples tested last year by Intertek ShipCare were off-spec, only 8% of 2015 samples failed to meet the specified requirements. "Test figures for 2014 also showed a significant change in purchasing patterns of the type of products, with a steady increase in the number of distillate fuels being tested," said Jorgensen. "The number of distillate samples submitted for testing rose by 15% in 2014 compared with 2013." Cheaper oil has given refiners less incentive to blend down their products and suppliers are increasingly using specifications for marine fuels in ISO standards 8217:2010 and 8217:2012. Last October the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEC 67) set up a group to develop draft guidance for assuring the quality of fuel oil and to consider the adequacy of MARPOL Annex VI for assuring the quality of bunkers. Off-spec samples peaked in 2013, when 25% were below standard.