Fuel quality and inspection


VPS logo. May 18, 2026
The importance of fast turnaround times for bunker fuel analysis in today’s market | Thomas Schmidt, VPS  

Rapid and reliable fuel quality intelligence is critical to protecting vessels, machinery, operations and commercial performance.
VPS logo. May 13, 2026
NE Atlantic ECA will cause significant change to the current fuel mix | Steve Bee, VPS  

The possibility of off-spec issues highlights the continuing need for proactive fuel testing to protect vessels.
Rotterdam skyline at night. May 13, 2026
Bunker surveyor sought in Rotterdam to meet increased demand  

Dutch firm MCE Marine Surveyors is recruiting for a quantitative fuel inspection role.
Two vessels at sea. May 6, 2026
Abrasive reality: How elevated cat fines can damage marine engines | VPS  

A guide on how to manage cat fine levels and avoid engine damage.
Steve Bee speaking at Marine Insurance Greece 2026 graphic. April 29, 2026
VPS executive to join panel on bunker fuel testing adequacy at Athens marine insurance event  

Steve Bee will discuss bunker testing standards with insurance and surveying experts in May.
Container ship at harbour. April 28, 2026
Skuld warns of unusual chemical compounds in Southeast Asian marine fuels  

Marine insurer reports fuels meeting ISO 8217 standards but containing high levels of hydrocarbon compounds.
VPS logo. April 8, 2026
The emergence of B100 FAME in a volatile distillate market | Paul Hoather, VPS  

VPS UK Sales Manager provides recommendations following increased B100 usage due to price dynamics.
VPS logo. April 1, 2026
Shale oil components detected in Singapore marine fuel | VPS  

VPS testing identifies 90,000 mt of delivered VLSFO containing Estonian shale oil compounds.
Aerial view of a container vessel. March 9, 2026
Skuld reports engine damage from CNSL biofuel blends amid rising alternative fuel adoption  

Marine insurer details operational challenges with biofuels, including FAME, CNSL and UCOME across member vessels.
Yellow oil with air bubbles illustration. February 19, 2026
Maximising lubricant value | Joe Star, VPS  

VPS Strategic Account Manager shares insights from the firm's database of lubricant oil results.
VPS Maress 2.0 digital dashboard interface displayed on a monitor. February 16, 2026
VPS outlines key features of Maress 2.0 with enhanced analytics for offshore vessel efficiency  

Updated platform adds data validation, energy flow diagrams and fleet comparison tools for decarbonisation monitoring.
FOBAS Fuel Insight Fuel Quality report H2 2025 cover. February 13, 2026
Lloyd’s Register reports sharp rise in marine fuel quality failures in late 2025  

December recorded the highest monthly off-specification cases, driven by sulphur, catalytic fines and flash point issues.
Neil Chapman, VPS. February 2, 2026
VPS appoints Neil Chapman as managing director for the Americas  

Maritime services company names industry veteran to lead regional operations and client partnerships.
VPS: 2025 Marine Fuel Review. January 26, 2026
2025 Marine Fuel Review | Steve Bee, VPS  

VPS Group Marketing & Strategic Projects Director analyses fuel quality data from the past year.
VPS: From Regulation to Reality. December 8, 2025
From Regulation to Reality: Fuel Assessment Update of the Mediterranean Emission Control Area | Steve Bee, VPS  

Maress 2.0 launch graphic. December 3, 2025
VPS launches upgraded Maress 2.0 maritime performance platform  

Enhanced analytics and data validation added to digital platform used by almost 700 vessels.
Jack Spyros Pringle, Lloyd’s Register. November 28, 2025
Marine fuel procurement becomes strategic imperative as regulatory pressures mount: LR  

Operators must adopt comprehensive fuel strategies amid supply constraints and compliance costs, says Lloyd's Register.
VPS launches VeriSphere digital platform. October 9, 2025
VPS launches Verisphere digital platform to streamline marine fuel decarbonisation tools  

New ecosystem connects multiple maritime emissions solutions through single user interface.
Stril Poseidon vessel. September 12, 2025
VPS campaign claims 12,000 tonnes of CO₂ savings across 300 vessels  

Three-month efficiency drive involved 12 shipping companies testing operational strategies through software platform.
Birdseye view of a ship. September 12, 2025
Gard warns of widespread cat fines surge in marine fuel  

Insurer reports elevated contamination levels, echoing VPS circular in early September.
VPS: Global pandemic of high cat fines. September 4, 2025
Global spike in cat fines contamination hits marine fuel supplies across major ports  

VPS testing reveals elevated aluminium and silicon levels in VLSFO across six major bunkering hubs.
Stanley George, VPS Group Technical and Science Manager, VPS. January 30, 2025
How to engineer and manage green shipping fuels | Stanley George, VPS  

Effective management strategies and insights for evolving fuel use.
The world's first methanol-fuelled container ship, Laura Maersk. December 4, 2024
Methanol as a marine fuel | Steve Bee, VPS  

How environmental legislation has driven the development of low-sulphur fuels and methanol-ready ships.
Chart showing percentage of off-spec and on-spec samples by fuel type, according to VPS. October 2, 2024
Is your vessel fully protected from the dangers of poor-quality fuel? | Steve Bee, VPS  

Commercial Director highlights issues linked to purchasing fuel and testing quality against old marine fuel standards.
Chart showing percentage of fuel samples by ISO 8217 version, according to VPS. July 8, 2024
ISO 8217:2024 'a major step forward' | Steve Bee, VPS  

Revision of international marine fuel standard has addressed a number of the requirements associated with newer fuels, says Group Commercial Director.
Risk chart outlining likelihood of bad bunkers April 8, 2024
Mitigating the risks of bad bunkers  

Article by Steve Bee, VPS Group Commercial Director; Dr Malcolm Cooper, VPS CEO; and Stanley George, VPS Group Science & Technical Manager.
Algebra illustration. January 16, 2024
ISO 8217 formula 'not suitable' for gauging FAME fuel energy content: VPS  

Accurate measurement can only be determined using calorimetry, says testing firm.
The world's first methanol-fuelled container ship, Laura Maersk. September 15, 2023
World's first methanol-fuelled boxship completes maiden trip  

Fuel secured for initial months of operation, with bunkering to take place in Rotterdam.
First foot sample taken by VPS during the first methanol bunker quantity survey (BQS), in Singapore. July 28, 2023
VPS performs first methanol bunker quantity survey  

Landmark operation took place in Singapore on July 27.