Integr8 Fuels has published its latest Bunker Quality Trends report, offering unparalleled insights into the evolving landscape of marine fuels. Drawing on comprehensive data from over 130 million metric tons (MT) of deliveries, the report provides an in-depth analysis of critical quality issues, regulatory implications, and market trends. This edition of the report highlights five key developments:

• Why Changes in VLSFO Blends Could Trigger a Wave of Problem Fuels (Pg 10)
• The Smart Way to Meet Biofuel Targets: Plan Biofuel Bunkering on a Fleet or Pool Level (Pg 23)
• Barge Bottlenecks: The Sulphur Compliance Challenge in Southern Europe (Pg 12)
• Rising Automotive Fuel Blends Are Driving Flash Point Risks in the Med (Pg 19)
• Biofuels and LNG: Key Players in the Future of Fuel Compliance (Pgs 21-26)

Why Changes in VLSFO Blends Could Trigger a Wave of Problem Fuels

The introduction of the ISO 8217:2024 specification has brought renewed focus on viscosity limits, with a significant proportion of VLSFOs currently failing to meet the updated standards. Data from the report shows that over 45% of global VLSFO supply would not meet the RM380 2024 specification without adjustments to blend recipes. These changes could lead to a spike in problematic fuels, as was observed during the IMO 2020 transition, potentially affecting fuel stability and other critical parameters. Regions like Singapore and Houston are flagged as hotspots for adjustments, with over two-thirds of VLSFO in Singapore requiring reformulation. Buyers are urged to adapt charterparty wording to ensure suppliers comply with the latest standards to reduce the risk of critical handling issues.

The Smart Way to Meet Compliance Targets: Plan Biofuel Bunkering on a Fleet or Pool Level

When it comes to compliance with environmental regulations, FuelEU Maritime doesn’t specify a fixed biofuel percentage. The focus is on reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity across a vessel’s voyages over the course of a calendar year. The target is a 2% reduction in GHG intensity between two EU ports, which translates to around 3% biofuel blended with VLSFO or HSFO, or 2% biofuel with MGO. However, it’s more efficient to take larger biofuel quantities on select vessels and transfer compliance surpluses across your fleet or between ships in multiple fleets, which is also known as pooling. The most common biofuel grades stocked by suppliers are B24 and B30 blends, and pure B100. Their availability varies by port and region. Shipowners are advised to carefully manage their biofuel strategies and check the GHG intensity figures in Proof of Sustainability documents provided by suppliers.

Barge Bottlenecks: The Sulphur Compliance Challenge in Southern Europe

Sulphur compliance for VLSFO remains a pressing concern, with 2.4% of supplies exceeding the 95% confidence limits for ISO 8217 Table 2 parameters in the past six months. Geographical variances are significant, with higher non-compliance risks reported in bunker hubs such as Rotterdam and Balboa compared to Singapore. Infrastructure constraints, including the practice of switching between HSFO and VLSFO on the same barges, are identified as contributing factors. The report underscores the importance of data-driven procurement and robust supplier practices to mitigate these risks.

Rising Automotive Fuel Blends Are Driving Flash Point Risks in the Med

The integration of automotive diesel into bunkering pools has led to heightened risks of flash point non-compliance, particularly in the Mediterranean. Automotive fuels often have a minimum flash point of 55°C, below the 60°C threshold mandated for marine fuels under SOLAS regulations. The report identifies specific ports where these risks are most prevalent and calls for enhanced due diligence when purchasing in regions reliant on automotive diesel imports. Ensuring DMA specifications are met is critical to avoiding costly compliance breaches.

Biofuels and LNG: Key Players in the Future of Fuel Compliance

The report highlights the growing role of biofuels and LNG as transitional solutions for meeting stringent emissions regulations, such as FuelEU Maritime and the upcoming Mediterranean Emission Control Area (Med ECA). While LNG remains a reliable option due to its consistent quality and negligible SOx emissions, biofuels are gaining momentum as suppliers expand blending capabilities globally. The report cautions buyers about potential operational risks, such as biofuel-related cold flow challenges in colder climates and the limited availability of LNG bunker vessels. The introduction of the Med ECA from 1 May 2025 will likely boost LNG bunker demand in the region, however, the delivery of LNG bunker vessels is failing to keep up with growing demand, tightening the LNG supply chain.

Source: Integr8 Fuels