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Fuel contamination spreads to Singapore 

The fuel contamination incident in Houston Splash reported on a month ago has now spread to Singapore, the world’s largest bunkering hub.

Fuel checker VPS reported a VLSFO contamination case at the Texan port on July 11, the largest bunkering hub in the Americas.

VPS detected the presence of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) and associated isomers at significantly high levels in VLSFO bunker fuel deliveries in Houston from a single supplier for three months from March to May this year.

DCPDs are unsaturated chemical compounds which can make bunker fuel more sticky and viscous. Many vessels subsequently lost power and propulsion from the off-spec fuel.

VPS now states that 14 ships have taken on contaminated fuel which has caused damage, and while 12 of them bought the bunkers in Houston, two were topping up in Singapore. 

Multiple, multi-million dollar court cases were launched from the last big bunker contamination case in Houston three years ago.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.

Comments

  1. He guy’s you have contamination with your fuel !!!! I have one Filtersystem how is taking out your bacteria with any additives. Each vessel and bunkerstatiin shut have this. One investment for your hole life

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