Approximately 80 vessels reported issues with fuel pumps and engines due to contaminated fuel, with Glencore identified as the supplier
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has revealed that approximately 200 ships in the Port of Singapore were supplied with contaminated bunker fuel, with around 80 of these vessels reporting issues with fuel pumps and engines. The contaminated fuel, which contained high levels of chlorinated organic compounds (COC), was supplied by global commodities firm Glencore.
The issue was first reported to MPA on March 14, when ships began experiencing problems after receiving high-sulphur fuel oil with elevated COC concentrations. MPA quickly contacted the relevant bunker suppliers to halt the distribution of the contaminated fuel and alerted the affected ships to exercise caution.
Glencore confirmed that it had sold part of the affected fuel to PetroChina, which in turn supplied it to vessels in the Port of Singapore. The contamination was traced back to a batch of fuel sourced overseas, which contained about 15,000 parts per million (ppm) of COC. This was the first such case of fuel contamination reported in Singapore in the past two decades.
MPA tested fuel samples from some affected ships, confirming the presence of elevated COC levels. Although the contaminated fuel met ISO 8217 standards when purchased, neither ISO 8217 nor the alternative ASTM D78452 standard tests for COC. As a result, MPA is in discussions with the industry about implementing additional checks to screen for unacceptable chemicals.
MPA also intends to submit a report on the issue to the International Maritime Organization to raise awareness among global maritime stakeholders. The authority emphasised that it takes bunker fuel quality assurance seriously and will take appropriate action against parties that fail to comply with regulations.
This development follows earlier alerts from marine fuels testing company Veritas Petroleum Services, which informed customers of the contaminated fuel delivered to ships in Singapore.
