VPS introduces new service in response to increased fuel quality cases

VPS announced that its new Additional Protection Service (APS) will provide its clients with further information and support in increasing the level of damage prevention and asset protection.

VPS explained that whilst ISO8217 offers a significant level of protection to fuel purchasers and their vessels, the introduction of new fuels, cutter stocks, blending agents and additives, to ensure fuels comply with IMO 2020 requirements, would indicate a potential higher degree of risk associated with marine fuels going forward.

From 1 January 2020, the global fuel sulphur content cap will be reduced to 0.5% from the current 3.5% under IMO Marpol Annex VI regulation.

“Therefore, the VPS-APS, offers a residual fuel and a distillate fuel package, including ISO8217 test parameters, plus additional key test parameters to provide much more information on the fuels you receive,” VPS stated.

Read more: Bad bunkers cases continue, spread to China

A glaring case of bad bunkers last year was the contaminated fuel that started in Houston, US in March and spreading to Panama, Caribbean and then ports in Malaysia and Singapore, affecting hundreds of ships.

The contamination was in the form of 4-cumyl-phenol which does not show up in ISO8217 tests.