Tue 29 May 2018 15:35

Houston marine fuel contamination: VPS reveals exclusive findings


In-house test finds phenolic compounds in every sample taken from ships encountering problems.


Image: Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS)
By Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS)

On April 26, 2018, Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) issued a Bunker Alert informing our clients of multiple vessels impacted by a sticking of fuel plungers, fuel-pump seizures and failures, when burning fuel oil bunkered in Houston, Texas.

At that time, it was known to be a widespread problem that was not limited to any particular supplier or barge, but more a potential upstream production, or refinery issue, with the 'true' cause unknown at that time.

Since the initial VPS Bunker Alert, this problem has grown to have affected at least 30 vessels in the VPS Fuel Analysis Programme, making it one of the most widespread fuel quality issues of recent years, with our statistics currently showing eight suppliers and 17 bunker tankers in the chain of supply.

Over the past four weeks, a VPS 'task-force' stationed across our laboratories have undertaken detailed forensic analysis of the many samples we have received from numerous vessels. It was critical that we were able to identify which components were common to all of the fuel samples and have the physical properties which could cause the problems experienced on board our clients' vessels.

The standard test methods within the ISO 8217 specification gave no clues to the underlying problem. Therefore, it was necessary to utilize additional VPS proprietary test methods in order to identify the true cause of the problem.

Applying our 'in-house' acid extraction GCMS method, phenolic compounds were identified as being present in every one of the samples taken from vessels experiencing problems. The phenolic compound of highest concentration in all samples was:

4-Cumyl-Phenol (CAS No. 599-64-4), full name Phenol, 4-(1-methly-1-phenylethyl) in the concentration range of 300ppm to 1,000ppm.

In some samples, VPS also identified high-boiling carboxylic acids (fatty acids), but these were present at much lower levels.

4-Cumyl-Phenol has many industrial uses, including the manufacture of epoxy resins and as an emulsifier in pesticides - both of which utilise the adhesive (sticky) qualities 4-cumyl-phenol exhibits.

Historical cross-checking of the VPS database has highlighted numerous cases dating back to 2007, where VPS has identified fuels containing phenolic compounds which have caused damage to fuel pumps and injectors similar to those witnessed in this recent contamination problem. In addition, cases also showed increased sediment levels at separators and filters, and in some cases completely clogged filters.

The presence of this contaminant is in violation of Clause 5 of ISO 8217 which states: "The fuel should not include any added substance or chemical waste which jeopardizes the safety or adversely affects the performance of the machinery; or is harmful to personnel; or contributes overall to additional air pollution."


Marius Kairys, CEO of Elenger Sp. z o.o. Elenger enters Polish LNG bunkering market with ferry refuelling operation  

Baltic energy firm completes maiden truck-to-ship LNG delivery in Gdansk.

Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) virtual reality (VR) training program developed in collaboration with Evergreen. SHI develops VR training solutions for Evergreen's methanol-fuelled ships  

Shipbuilder creates virtual reality program for 16,500 TEU boxship operations.

Illustratic image of Itochu's newbuild ammonia bunkering vessel, scheduled for delivery in September 2027. Itochu orders 5,000 cbm ammonia bunker vessel  

Japanese firm targets Singapore demonstration after October 2027, with Zeta Bunkering lined up to perform deliveries.

Bunkering of the Glovis Selene car carrier. Shell completes first LNG bunkering operation with Hyundai Glovis in Singapore  

Energy major supplies fuel to South Korean logistics firm's dual-fuel vessel.

Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) vessel. CPN delivers first B30 marine gasoil to OOCL in Hong Kong  

Chimbusco Pan Nation claims to be first in region to supply all grades of ISCC-EU certified marine biofuel.

The Buffalo 404 barge, owned by Buffalo Marine Service Inc., performing a bunker delivery. TFG Marine installs first ISO-certified mass flow meter on US Gulf bunker barge  

Installation marks expansion of company's digitalisation programme across global fleet.

Sogestran's fuel supply vessel, the Anatife, at the port of Belle-Île-en-Mer. Sogestran's HVO-powered tanker achieves 78% CO2 reduction on French island fuel runs  

Small tanker Anatife saves fuel while supplying Belle-Île and Île d'Yeu.

Crowley 1,400 TEU LNG-powered containership, Tiscapa. Crowley deploys LNG-powered boxship Tiscapa for Caribbean and Central American routes  

Vessel is the third in company's Avance Class fleet to enter service.

The inland LNG bunker vessel LNG London. LNG London completes 1,000 bunkering operations in Rotterdam and Antwerp  

Delivery vessel reaches milestone after five years of operations across ARA hub.

The M.V. COSCO Shipping Yangpu, China's first methanol dual-fuel containership. COSCO vessel completes maiden green methanol bunkering at Yangpu  

China's first methanol dual-fuel containership refuels with green methanol derived from urban waste.


↑  Back to Top