The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has issued a statement addressing reports of operational issues associated with certain residual marine fuels that may contain components derived from shale oil, calling for greater industry collaboration and data sharing to improve understanding of fuel behaviour.

IBIA's Technical Working Group reviewed available information on the reports and concluded that, while the cases raise questions warranting further investigation, the evidence gathered so far does not establish a direct causal relationship between the presence of shale oil-derived compounds and the operational problems reported.

The association noted that shale oil-derived hydrocarbons are a permitted feedstock under ISO 8217, the international standard governing marine fuel quality, and said their presence alone should not be regarded as evidence of fuel quality deficiencies or non-compliance with the standard. According to IBIA, the relevant consideration remains whether the finished fuel, as delivered, meets the requirements of ISO 8217 — including provisions relating to fuel composition and operational fitness for use.

The statement comes as marine fuel blends have grown increasingly complex, with the industry drawing on a wider variety of feedstocks and blend components. IBIA said the reported cases reinforce the need to better understand how such blends perform in practice, and that greater transparency, traceability and quality assurance across the supply chain will become more important as diversification continues.

"IBIA supports further technical investigation, industry collaboration and data sharing to improve understanding of fuel behaviour and operational performance," the association stated, adding that such work would help ensure confidence in marine fuel quality while supporting the safe and reliable operation of ships.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has also issued a related advisory — Bunkering Memo No. 3 of 2026 — to all licensed bunker suppliers under its jurisdiction on the matter, underscoring the international dimension of the issue.