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BIMCO ‘concerned’ on IMO suggestion to amend sulphur testing and sampling regulation

New suggestion can cause confusion between the ship, bunker supplier, time charter etc, especially if the testing results turn out to be different, said BIMCO.
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Christian Bækmark Schiolborg, Manager, Marine Environment at BIMCO on Monday (16 November) published an article explaining why BIMCO is ‘concerned’ with the proposed procedure for ‘On board sampling’ to be used in determining compliance with sulphur regulations as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) prepares to discuss amendments to MARPOL Annex VI this week:

While shipowners have been focused on the 2020 sulphur regulation which entered into force on 1 January 2020 due to safety concerns, IMO members states have had their eyes on the procedures that control whether ships are carrying low-sulphur fuel oil in accordance with the new regulations.

In connection with the amendments to MARPOL Annex VI a few definitions will come in handy:

  •  In-use sample, defined as the sample of fuel oil in use on a ship. It can for example be drawn from the fuel oil line between the service tank and an auxiliary engine.
  •  On board sample, defined as the sample of fuel oil intended to be used or carried for use on board a ship. It is drawn directly or indirectly from fuel oil tanks.

According to the new regulation, authorities including Port State Control are thus given explicit authority to draw oil samples from the ship’s fuel oil tanks.

BIMCO is concerned with the suggested procedure for ‘On board sampling’ to be used for determining if the ship is in compliance with the sulphur regulation, since the only truly homogenous and representative fuel oil sample is the MARPOL sample (MARPOL delivered sample). The new suggestion could cause confusion and uncertainty between the ship, bunker supplier, time charter and other stakeholders, especially if the testing results turn out to be different, BIMCO believes.

Direct samples drawn through the sounding pipe or the manhole cannot in BIMCO’s view be considered homogenous and representative for the sulphur content in the fuel oil tank. This is recognised (but also disregarded) in the circular on early application of the verification procedures for a MARPOL Annex VI fuel oil sample (MEPC.1/Circ.882 ):

“The in-use or on board fuel oil sample, as appropriate, shall be used to verify the sulphur content of the fuel oil as represented by that sample of fuel oil at the point of sampling.”

This means that a fuel oil sample drawn by PSC is only representative of the fuel oil at the level or point of suction, but not representative of the fuel oil in the tank.

Indirect samples drawn by using the fuel oil transfer pump, cannot be used either, since the sample is not homogenous and representative of the sulphur content in the tank. Since the transfer pump’s suction is placed in the bottom of the fuel tank, BIMCO fears that such samples would show wrong results even if the sulphur content of the fuel oil is actually compliant.

This leads to the fact that the only fuel sample truly homogenous and representative of the sulphur content that is available today, is the MARPOL sample because it is drawn over the entire bunker operation.

Safety concerns in case of direct sampling from fuel oil tanks

A normal fuel oil tank only has two openings, the manhole, for inspection when the tank is empty, and the sounding pipe. Fuel oil tanks on existing ships are not constructed with designated sampling points.

The manhole should never be opened while there is fuel oil inside the tank. Fuel oils are stored at high temperatures and it is consequently unsafe for the people taking the sample.

The MARPOL (delivered) sample is still essential

The statutory fuel verification procedure for MARPOL Annex VI fuel oil samples is being updated to include the new fuel oil samples and making the text of the circular on early application of the verification procedures for a MARPOL Annex VI fuel oil sample mandatory. 

More information can be found here interpretation of the discord between MARPOL and commercial fuel samples.

Compared to the current verification procedure, MARPOL (delivered) samples will in the future be tested without taking the Reproducibility (R) of the test method into consideration. This means there will be no test margin and thus, the test result of a MARPOL sample (average of two tests by the same laboratory) must not exceed 0.50% m/m sulphur.

For ‘In-use’ and ‘On board’ samples, the Reproducibility (R) of the test method, in accordance with ISO 4259-2:2017, should be taken into consideration when assessing whether the test result is acceptable or not. This means that the test result, from the fuel oil samples drawn by PSC, shall be considered acceptable if the sulphur content does not exceed 0.53%.

This small but essential difference between the verification procedure for MARPOL samples and samples drawn by PSC was agreed by IMO deliberately. The difference is intended to ensure that ships are not unfairly penalised for marginal exceedances due to factors outside the ship’s control. Time will show if this is sufficient to avoid that different conclusions are drawn from the different types of samples.

In the end we should not forget that it is still the responsibility of the supplier to deliver fuel oil which is compliant with the statutory sulphur content limits i.e. 0.50% or 0.10% m/m.


Photo credit: International Maritime Organisation
Source: BIMCO
Published: 18 November, 2020

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Legal

Singapore: Bunker Partner succeeds in High Court bid to wind up Victory Shipping

Estonia-based marine fuels and commodities trading company Bunker Partner filed a winding up application against Victory Shipping on 13 April.

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June 26, 2026

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Singapore: Estonian firm Bunker Partner files bid to wind up of Victory Shipping

The High Court of Singapore granted a winding up order against Victory Shipping Pte Ltd on 12 June, according to a Thursday (25 June) notice on the Government Gazette. 

The winding up application was filed by Estonia-based marine fuels and commodities trading company Bunker Partner on 13 April.

Victory Shipping, with representations in Malaysia, India and the U.A.E., operates dry bulk shipping contracts around the globe with voyages performed mainly in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

The winding up order also included the following name and address of a liquidator:

Mr Farooq Ahmad Mann
C/o M/s Mann & Associates PAC
3 Shenton Way #03-06C
Shenton House
Singapore 068805

The notice noted that all creditors of the Victory Shipping should file their proof of debt with the liquidator who will be administering all the affairs of the company. 

Manifold Times previously reported a virtual hearing between Victory Shipping and Integr8 Fuels Pte Ltd, organised by the High Court of the Republic of Singapore.

The event was to set aside a statutory demand served on 3 October 2025 by Integr8 Fuels lawyers under Section 125(2)(c) and Section 10 of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 (IRDA) against Victory Shipping, according to court documents obtained by the bunkering publication.

Integr8 Fuels provides bunker trading and brokerage services to shipowners and operators that enables them to optimise fuel procurement.

Related: Singapore: Court to hear Bunker Partner’s winding-up bid against Victory Shipping on 12 June
Related: Singapore: Estonian firm Bunker Partner files bid to wind up Victory Shipping
Related: Singapore: Victory Shipping aiming to set aside bankruptcy court process from Integr8 Fuels

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 26 June, 2026

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FuelEU

Hafnia Pools surpasses 170 vessels, achieves FuelEU Maritime compliance

In announcing the company’s Q1 2026 financial results, it said five vessels joined Hafnia Pools during the first quarter of the year, bringing the total number of Pool Partners to 24 across segments.
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Hafnia Pools surpasses 170 vessels, achieves FuelEU Maritime compliance

Singapore-headquartered tanker operator Hafnia on Wednesday (24 June) the company closed Q1 2026 with more than 170 vessels trading across its pool platform.

In announcing the company’s Q1 2026 financial results, it said five vessels joined Hafnia Pools during the first quarter of the year, bringing the total number of Pool Partners to 24 across segments.

Since November 2025, vessels entering the Pools have had an average age of six years or younger, further strengthening the competitiveness and earnings capability of the platform. 

This continued inflow of modern tonnage supports Hafnia’s focus on maintaining an efficient and attractive fleet profile, while enhancing the long-term value proposition for Pool Partners.

In Hafnia’s MR Pool, six owners now each have three or more vessels committed.

During Q1 2026, Hafnia Pools successfully met the EU’s FuelEU Maritime requirements for 2025. Across the Pool, 108 vessels collectively exceeded the emissions limits; however, by working together under a “pooling” system, this was balanced out. By using cleaner vessels, biofuel, and purchased emissions credits, the Pools avoided penalties and achieved meaningful cost savings for partners.

This outcome reflects strong collaboration across Hafnia’s commercial, operational, and compliance teams, as well as constructive engagement with all Document of Compliance holders as regulations such as FuelEU come into full force.

In June 2026, Hafnia Pools further strengthened Partner engagement and alignment through its bi-annual Pool Board meeting, taking place during Posidonia in Greece.

Peter Kolding, VP Chartering Regional Trades & Pool Management, said: “As we move further into 2026, our focus remains on delivering consistent commercial results, strengthening the value proposition for all Pool Partners, and continuing to build on the close cooperation between our Chartering and Operations teams that underpins the success of the Hafnia Pools.

“I am encouraged to see that our commercial performance and efforts in staying close to our partners are paying off as we enjoy growing support from many of those same partners. It indicates that we are on the right path and energizes us to continue doing everything we can to improve even further.”

 

Photo credit: Hafnia
Published: 26 June, 2026

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Digital platform

VPS debuts VeriSphere Webshop, enhancing digital access to marine fuel solutions

Key addition is the MySurveys application, designed to support bunker quantity survey processes by providing detailed insights into quantity losses, density variations, and bunkering performance.
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June 26, 2026

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VPS debuts VeriSphere Webshop, enhancing digital access to marine fuel solutions

Marine fuels testing company VPS on Thursday (25 June) announced the launch of its VeriSphere Webshop, a major step forward in the evolution of its digital platform and customer experience.

The new webshop provides customers with direct, self-service access to a growing portfolio of VPS products and services, including digital applications, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and sampling equipment; enabling faster, more flexible engagement with VPS’s global offerings.

The VeriSphere Webshop has been designed to simplify how shipowners, operators, and stakeholders across the marine fuel value chain, access critical tools and data. Through a streamlined interface, users can:

  • Browse and subscribe to VPS digital applications
  • Purchase services and products directly online
  • Discover complementary solutions tailored to their operational needs from VPS as well as its ecosystem partners

Alongside the launch of the webshop module, VPS continues to expand the capabilities of its VeriSphere platform, introducing new applications and enhancing existing solutions to deliver deeper operational insights.

A key addition is the MySurveys application, designed to support bunker quantity survey processes by providing detailed insights into quantity losses, density variations, and bunkering performance. This capability represents an important step in the digitalisation of traditionally manual survey processes, enabling greater transparency and benchmarking across operations.

Further enhancements across the platform reinforce VPS’s commitment to delivering actionable, data-driven insights across fuel quality, equipment performance, and operational risk management.

With continuous improvements to applications such as PortStats and the broader VeriSphere suite, VPS is enabling customers to move beyond static reporting toward pro-active operational intelligence.

By combining its extensive global fuel quality database with advanced analytics and digital delivery, VPS aims to empowere its customers to identify risks early, optimise fuel performance, simplify compliance and improve operational efficiency.

Dr. Malcolm Cooper, CEO at VPS, said: “The launch of the VeriSphere Webshop marks an important milestone in our digital journey.

“We are making it easier than ever for our customers to access the data, insights, and tools they need, when they need them. As the maritime industry continues to evolve, our focus is on delivering scalable, digital solutions that drive better decision-making, improve operational performance of vessels, prevent downtime and support the transition towards more sustainable maritime operations.”

VPS added that the VeriSphere Platform will continue to evolve with an expanding portfolio of products, services, and ecosystem partnerships.

Related: VPS unveils digital bunker fuel and emissions platform Verisphere

 

Photo credit: VPS
Published: 26 June, 2026

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