Between June 7 and July 28, Maritec-Naias identified high concentrations of phenolic compounds in numerous fuel oil samples obtained from vessels that refuelled at Chinese ports. The company's analysis revealed that 10 samples contained phenolic compounds and their derivatives in quantities ranging from 5,200 to 15,750 parts per million (ppm). Specifically, four of these affected samples originated from Tianjin port, two from Qinhuangdao port, two from Rizhao port, one from Zhoushan port, and one from Shandong port. Fuels with phenolic compound levels exceeding 5,000 ppm were classified as marginally stable.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this development signals a potential risk for vessels bunkering in these Chinese ports. High concentrations of phenolic compounds can lead to fuel instability, filter clogging, and engine performance issues, potentially causing delays, increased maintenance costs, and even off-hire periods for vessels. Forwarders should advise carriers to exercise caution and conduct thorough fuel quality checks when bunkering in the affected regions. This could also lead to increased scrutiny from charterers regarding fuel specifications and potentially impact vessel scheduling and reliability.
