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Bunker testing service DNV Petroleum Services (DNVPS) has issued a warning to customers regarding the possible contamination of marine fuel lifted at the US Gulf port of New Orleans.

In a Bunker Alert to clients, DNV said that it has received reports of engine problems from a number of vessels after they had lifted fuel at New Orelans and surrounding ports during the month of April.

The bunker deliveries, according to DNVPS, were made by two unidentified suppliers between April 6th and April 19th 2010.

DNVPS also goes on to point out in the circular that the alert does not necessarily reflect the overall fuel quality delivered at the ports involved.

The affected vessels are said to have experienced fuel pump sticking with some ships also reporting that the engines had failed to start.

Fuel testing results from the bunker deliveries are understood to have met the relevant ISO8217:2005 specification for each fuel grade, however, the fuels were also said to have a slighly elevated acid number.

“These components could not be detected using standard fuel analysis but were found using GC-MS (Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry) equipment. The analysis revealed presence of various bio-derived components (organic acids and amides) in the samples. The fact that several ships have suffered similar damages while burning fuels of practically identical composition is a strong indication that these fuels are not fit for the intended purpose and hence should not be used as fuel oil for diesel engines," the alert said.

“As the identified contaminants are not normally found in fuel oil derived from petroleum refining, the tested fuels are in violation of Clause 5.1 of the international fuel standard ISO8217:2005 which states ’The fuels shall be homogeneous blends of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum refining. The fuels should not include any added substance or chemical waste which jeopardizes the safety of the ship or adversely affects the performance of the machinery; or is harmful to personnel; or contributes overall to additional air pollution’,” the circular added.