IBIA: Bunker Quality is Improving

IBIA: Bunker Quality is Improving

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) Monday said bunker fuel quality was improving markedly, partly as a result of a campaign by the association.

According to IBIA, early results for 2015 from fuel tests carried out by Intertek ShipCare showed 8 percent of bunker samples to be off-specification (off-spec.).

This compares with 10 percent off-spec. samples in 2014 and a quarter off-spec. in 2013.

The comments were delivered by IBIA’s Chairman, Jens Maul Jorgensen, at the association’s annual dinner in London.

“The number of distillate samples being submitted for testing rose by 15% in 2014′

Jens Maul Jorgensen, Chairman, IBIA

As fuel prices have come down, he said there was less incentive for refiners to blend their products down.

Jorgensen also said that the types of bunkers being bought were changing and that fuel testing is becoming more  prevalent.

“Test figures for 2014 also showed a significant change in purchasing patterns of the types of products, with a steady increase in the number of distillate fuels being tested,” he said.

“The number of distillate samples being submitted for testing rose by 15% in 2014 compared to the figures for 2013.”

Last year it was noted by Steve Bee, Global Business Director, Intertek (Lintec) ShipCare Services, that changes in regulations that govern marine fuel result in an increase in off-specification bunkers.

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