Nithin Chandran writes for Engine on how MPA investigates two alleged VLSFO contamination incidents in Singapore.
Marine fuel testing firm VPS
The port authority has reached out to marine fuel testing firm VPS with a request for it to share information and fuel sample reports of two vessels, which it claims to have faced engine problems after bunkering contaminated VLSFO in Singapore, the MPA tells ENGINE.
The MPA has not seen any fuel sample reports showing high Dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) levels in marine fuels so far this year.
Major engine-related issues
Last week, VPS said that it had identified 14 vessels that faced major engine-related issues such as power and propulsion loss after they bunkered contaminated VLSFO. 12 of these vessels had bunkered in Houston and two in Singapore.
The fuels had high levels of DCPD isomers, VPS claimed. The DCPD contents of the fuels ranged between 3,000-7,000 ppm, which makes them more viscous and reduces the manoeuvrability of components such as fuel pump plungers.
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Source: Engine
