Fully Integrated Fuel Testing Service

We offer a fully integrated fuel testing program specifically designed to ensure that our customers’ vessels can achieve the following:

• Obtain a representative samples from each and every bunkering
• Ensure samples for testing reach in the fastest possible time
• Guaranteed transit times using our approved courier from collection of sample to delivery to laboratory
• Ensure test results from the bunker are received as quickly as possible
• Full technical and engineering advice on all fuel related matters
• Maintain compliance with the regulations of MARPOL Annex VI, the EU Sulfur Directive and all other regionally imposed sulfur regulations.

Bunker Quantity Surveys (BQS)

With the ever increasing price of marine bunker fuel, ensuring that the quantity of fuel that is paid for is actually delivered to a vessel is becoming more and more important. To assist our clients with this we can offer bunker quantity surveys in all major bunker hubs and most other ports around the world.

A bunker quantity survey involves an approved surveyor taking measurements on board the delivery barge/shore tank and the receiving vessel before and after any transfer of oil takes place. The surveyor’s measurements are then used to determine the quantity of oil delivered. The quantity delivered from the barge/shore tank and received by the vessel should be the same. If there is any discrepancy, this can be highlighted and investigated at the time so that a claim can be made after the event.

Pre-Bunker Analysis

Many fuel purchasers are becoming more and more interested in having an independent knowledge about the quality of fuel oil before it is delivered to their vessel. To avoid the problem of having an off-specification fuel on board a vessel, a pre-bunker analysis gives the client the knowledge of the quality of the fuel before it is delivered. To assist our clients with this, we can offer pre-bunker analysis in all major ports around the world.

A pre-bunker analysis involves taking representative samples from the barge tanks and testing them in a local laboratory. The aim of a pre-bunker analysis is to have the analysis before the barge delivers to the vessel. This will enable our clients to make an informed decision whether or not to accept the bunkers before they are delivered.

Ship Fuel Sampling Audits

When vessels first enroll on the fuel testing service, we appreciate that there is a large amount of information that the chief engineer has to be aware of to ensure that a fully representative sample is taken and sent to the laboratory each and every time a sample is taken. To assist in this, we can arrange to have an independent audit of the fuel sampling system to ensure that representative samples are obtained and that the fuel testing service is used correctly.

Purifier Efficiency Monitoring

Many fuel oils contain element that must be reduced prior to the injection of the fuel to the engine. Fuel oil with a water content greater than 0.20% and/or combined aluminium plus silicon content greater than 20 mg/kg must be efficiently purified to ensure that the levels injected to the engine are below the recommended levels. If for any reason the vessel’s purification system is not working as efficiently as it should, then it is possible that the levels of water and/or combined aluminium plus silicon are not reduced sufficiently. Over a period of time this may result in expensive damage being caused to the engine that would not have happened had the purification system been operating efficiently. To assist our clients in avoiding such situations, we can offer a purifier efficiency monitoring service.

Analysis of representative samples taken from key locations will give an indication of how well the entire fuel pre-treatment system is operating and recommendations would be issued based on the findings.

Full Investigative Analysis

Over the past decade there have been numerous occasions of damage caused to ships operation by contaminants which are non-naturally occurring components of the residual/distillate bunker fuel. Such contaminants have found their way into the bunker stream either by poor handling or deliberate introduction. Cases have included:

• High boiling chemicals such as paint thinners
• Organic chlorides
• Polypropylene & polyethylene
• Corrosive acids
• Fatty acids

When fuel contaminated with such chemicals, the result is usually catastrophic to the fuel system and/or engines. We offer full technical support and back up with the full scope of laboratory techniques to investigate major onboard problems. Our network of chemists can offer the latest forensic methods to pin point the cause of the problems.

Assisting in the Bunker Claim Procedure

A fuel quality dispute will usually arise from one of two reasons (or a combination of both):

• A fuel quality report indicates that the fuel is out of specification or has cause for concern.
• The vessel burns the fuel and encounters difficulties in doing so.

In the event of a claim that arises, we will assist our client with any legitimate bunker fuel claim with the goal of securing a successful outcome for our client. Our management has assisted in the settling of bunker disputes many times over the years and has considerable experience in this area.

Other Associated Testing

We are able to offer other testing to complement the marine fuel testing. The other testing that is available is:

Lube Oil Analysis

Monitoring of the quality of new and/or used lube oils

Hydraulic Oil Analysis

Monitoring of the quality of the hydraulic oils

Grease Analysis

Monitoring of the bearing grease

Microbiological Analysis

Investigation of marine fuels if suspected of having a form of microbiological contamination.