- FOBAS reports excess water content in Zona Comun bunkers.
- RMG 380 samples had water content of 0.85-2.00% vlv, compared with the 0.50% vlv specification limit.
- The water appears to be fresh, rather than saline/sea water.
- A concern and would have commercial implications in terms of quantity of fuel received.
FOBAS warns of several recent instances of fuel oil being sold in Zona Comun with water content above the required maximum, reports Ship & Bunker.
What is the warning about?
Lloyd’s Register’s Fuel Oil Bunker Analysis Service (FOBAS) has warned of several recent instances of fuel oil being sold in Zona Comun with water content above the required maximum.
Water content in oil
The organisation said it tested a number of RMG 380 samples from the Argentinian port in the past week with water content of 0.85-2.00% vlv, compared with the 0.50% vlv specification limit.
The water appears to be fresh, rather than saline/sea water, the company said.
Is it manageable onboard?
According to the company, water at these levels would generally be expected to be manageable with effective onboard treatment including efficient purification. However it is still a concern and would also have commercial implications in terms of quantity of fuel received.
What is the recommendation?
If high water is found in a bunker fuel then further samples should be taken from the top, middle and bottom of the respective bunker tank(s) to determine the distribution of water through the tank.
The company added, “Further to this, samples can be taken from before and after the purifier as well as engine entry to determine the reduction of water to acceptable levels (0.20%v/v) before engine entry.”
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Source: Ship & Bunker
