Read all the latest news about Contaminated bunker. ShippingWatch gives you independent, credible, critical and fair news.
German bunker company Bomin has been hit with two new accusations concerning contaminated bunker. In one case, a company claims that Bomin knew the bunker oil was contaminated even prior to delivery.
BW LPG and World Fuel Services have agreed to close a dispute regarding supply of contaminated bunker in Texas. The settlement happened outside of court where the carrier demanded USD 700,000 in damages.
An oil sample from Thorco Lineage could perhaps provide answers to whether contaminated bunker caused the wrecking of Thorco Lineage. But the parties are unable to agree on where and when it will be tested. The sample is still in Panama.
Bunker supplier Bomin, which is under suspicion by Thorco Shipping for having supplied bunker fuel to shipwrecked Thorco Lineage, now replies in a new statement of defense. The ship may have already been unseaworthy upon departure, claims Bomin.
An oil company with a large refinery in Houston is mentioned as supplier in a new case about contaminated bunker in which shipping company Chembulk experienced problems. This marks the first time that a refinery is mentioned in one of the many cases.
The captain of ship Thorco Lineage, which ran aground near French Polynesia after suffering engine failure this summer, has been issued a conditional prison sentence of one year as well as a fine for his role in the accident.
A law firm now says that it is involved in a case concerning bad bunker in China. This means that the problem, which has affected close to a hundred ships since the spring of this year, has now spread further.
The bill for costs related to the grounding of Thorco Lineage is estimated to reach at least USD 10 million, and Thorco Shipping is currently working to get this money from two renowned bunker companies accused of having supplied contaminated bunker fuel oil.
A new industry survey covering almost 100 cases of contaminated bunker in shipping raises more questions than it answers.
Several vessels in Euronav's pool have taken bad bunker on board. Waste material from the forestry industry or a cleaning product could have been dumped in the oil, says CEO Paddy Rogers, who blames bunker companies for the spread of bad bunker.
The problems with bad bunker may accelerate the difficult transition the industry has to make before 2020, where sulfur requirements for marine fuels take effect.
United Arab Shipping Company has dropped its lawsuit against World Fuel Service, which the container carrier accused of supplying poor quality bunker. The case has no apparent connection to the current epidemic.
BBC Chartering has had to pay large extra costs for tug boats as well as having several ships cleaned after tanking contaminated bunker. CEO Svend Andersen says that the project cargo carrier is among the hardest hit in the widespread cases related to the damaging bunker.
There is no doubt that it is the bunker suppliers' responsibility when shipowners end up with bad bunker in their tanks, says Bimco. But the shipowners need to take more precautions, notes the association.
Maersk Line's self-supply in several key ports means that the company has avoided being affected by the bad bunker that is in circulation. One vessel had to be cleansed in Panama in June, but that episode had nothing to do with the current problems, Maersk tells ShippingWatch.
In order to avoid being hit with compensation or damage claims after supplying bad bunker, several suppliers in Singapore have allegedly started to tinker with bunker delivery contracts.
The current situation of bad bunker, which originated in Houston, is spreading across the globe, says P&I club Standard Club in an update. The club estimates that the number of cases has now surpassed 150.
The US is the obvious jurisdiction in a lawsuit against suppliers in the wake of the on-going case of contaminated bunker, maritime lawyers explain to ShippingWatch. A class action by several carriers could mark a new chapter in bunker claims.
Shipping companies such as Integrity Bulk, Thorco and J. Lauritzen support Hafnia's call to work together to solve problems related to contaminated bunker oil. Danish Shipping is prepared to serve as a hub.
Industry media Lloyd's List has spoken to a number of anonymous sources in the Greek Shipping industry who say that Greek-owned ships have been hit hard by the problems with contaminated bunker oil.
Shipping companies should get together and find the source of the contaminated bunker that has plagued key ports for months, says Hafnia, which also criticizes certain suppliers for failing to assume responsibility.
These photos from industry association Intertanko show what it looks like when a ship burns contaminated bunker fuel, resulting in problems with engine parts such as fuel injectors.
Nobody seems to have a well-documented explanation for where the bad bunker currently plaguing the shipping sector really comes from. Meanwhile, each day brings a new case of damaged engines. A Norden ship is the latest to report issues with bad bunker.
Maersk Line has procedures in place to avoid being impacted by the widespread issue of contaminated bunker which has plagued several shipping companies recently.
Problems with contaminated bunker oil have become part of the case concerning a Thorco ship that ran aground in June (shown in photo). A bunker company says that Thorco has asserted a damages claim involving delivery of faulty fuel. The carrier declines to confirm the information.
Marine Controller for International Shipping Company - J.Lauritzen
Bunker Trader Trainee, Kaliningrad - Dan-Bunkering
General Manager, Dry Bulk Chartering - Celsius Shipping
Chartering and Operations Shipping Trainee Program - ZEAMARINE
