August 27, 2025
Lloyd’s Register Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) released a bulletin on 26 August, regarding FOBAS testing several residual fuel samples from Singapore.
Recently FOBAS tested several residual fuel samples from Singapore, that exceeded the 60 mg/kg limit, for Aluminium + Silicon as stipulated in the ISO 8217:2010/12/17 specification. The fuels tested had values of these catfines, ranging between 74 to 97 mg/kg.
As stated, Al+Si content at these concentrations may not readily reduce to acceptable levels (< 15 mg/kg at the engine inlet) by means of normal onboard treatment. Carry over of abrasive Al+Si material may lead to damage to fuel pumps/injectors and cylinder components.
If ships are planning to bunker in Singapore then it is suggested that the supplier is asked to provide a certificate of quality of the particular stem to ensure that the Aluminium + Silicon concentration is known at the time of bunkering and within the limits of the stipulated grade.
Particular attention should be given to the collection of fully representative drip samples, ensuring all supporting documentation and samples drawn are witnessed and signed for by all parties present.
Reduction of this abrasive material to satisfactorily low levels will largely depend on the capability, effectiveness and management of the onboard fuel treatment plant.
Careful monitoring and operation of the fuel treatment plant is needed to reduce the risk of carryover of these abrasive elements to the engine rail which can cause increase in wear of fuel pumps/injectors and cylinder components. This may include operating two separators inline under optimum conditions of flow and temperature.
Furthermore, it is recommended that during onboard treatment, system samples should be drawn and analysed in order to verify system performance if/as required.
