Business

Singapore: MPA investigation traces contaminated bunker fuel back to source at Port of Khor Fakkan

Glencore purchased fuel through Straits Pinnacle which contracted supply from Unicious Energy. Contaminated HSFO was loaded at Khor Fakkan port and shipped to a FSU in Tanjong Pelepas, Malaysia to be further blended.

Published

4 years ago

May 5, 2022

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Thursday (5 May) issued an update on the contaminated bunker fuel situation at Singapore:

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was notified on 14 March 2022 that a number of ships had been supplied with High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO) containing high concentration levels of Chlorinated Organic Compounds (COC) (1,2-Dichloroethane, Tetrachloroethylene) in the Port of Singapore. MPA has conducted investigations and identified the source of the contamination.

Investigation Findings

The HSFO containing high concentrations of COC was traced back to fuel purchased by Glencore Singapore Pte Ltd (Glencore) in January and February 2022. Glencore had purchased the fuel through Straits Pinnacle Pte Ltd [1] (Straits Pinnacle), which had contracted its supply from Unicious Energy Pte Ltd [2] (Unicious). The contaminated HSFO was loaded at the Port of Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates (UAE) onto a tanker and shipped to floating storage facilities in Tanjong Pelepas, Malaysia to be further blended. The blended HSFO was subsequently delivered to storage facilities in Singapore. Part of the blended HSFO was also sold by Glencore to PetroChina International (Singapore) Pte Ltd (PetroChina).

To ascertain the source of contamination, MPA tested fuel samples taken from various sources, including the tanker which delivered the HSFO from the Port of Khor Fakkan, fuel blending facilities, and storage facilities of Glencore and PetroChina. Fuel onboard the tanker was found to contain high concentrations of COC, of up to 21,000 ppm. Forensic fingerprinting analysis of the fuel samples taken from the tanker showed a match with the samples taken from several affected ships that had taken HSFO from Glencore and PetroChina. The forensic fingerprinting analysis established with reasonable certainty that contaminated fuel onboard affected ships had likely come from the same source of fuel onboard the tanker that was loaded at Port of Khor Fakkan, UAE.

All MPA-licensed bunker suppliers are required to test the fuel to ensure that it complies with international standards. MPA has established that both Glencore and PetroChina, as MPA-licensed bunker suppliers, had carried out tests on the fuel supplied based on the international standards of petroleum products of fuel – International Organization for Standardization 8217 (ISO 8217) [3]. However, as the current international standards do not require tests for COC, the contamination was not promptly detected [4].

PetroChina and Glencore have since promptly taken the necessary steps to stop supplying the affected fuel. MPA has not received any report of fuel containing high COC supplied by the two suppliers since 31 March 2022.

In light of this incident, MPA encourages bunker buyers to request for enhanced fuel testing for COC from their bunker suppliers. MPA is also conducting further testing of both Glencore and PetroChina’s fuel samples.

Follow-up Measures

As a global bunkering hub, MPA takes bunker quality assurance seriously. MPA’s quality fuel assurance measures comprise the Bunker Quality Inspection System (BQIS) and the Intensified Bunker Quality Checks (IBQC). The BQIS tests the quality of bunker supplied to vessels while the IBQC tests bunker carried by bunker tankers before supply to vessels. On average, over 1,300 bunker samples are tested annually under BQIS and IBQC to verify compliance with ISO 8217. While the occurrence of COC is rare in bunkers, MPA will include COC to the list of chemicals to be tested under both BQIS and IBQC with immediate effect.

MPA and the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) are currently in discussions with the industry on measures to strengthen the quality assurance of bunkers supplied in Singapore. MPA and SSA will co-chair an industry expert group, which will include relevant professional bodies, to establish a list of chemicals to be tested and their corresponding concentration limits. The expert group is expected to make its recommendations on additional measures to strengthen bunker quality assurance of bunkers delivered in Singapore, on an urgent basis.

MPA has also raised this issue at the international level. At the recent International Maritime Organization Maritime Safety Committee (MSC105) working group meeting on ‘Measures to enhance safety of ships related to use of fuel oil’ held between 20 and 29 April 2022, MPA has informed the meeting that a paper on the recent contamination case will be submitted in due course for Member States’ awareness.

[1]: Based on ACRA records, Straits Pinnacle is a Singapore-registered company focusing on wholesale trade of a variety of goods.

[2]: Based on ACRA records, Unicious is a Singapore-registered company that conducts international trading of petroleum, petrochemical products and bulk commodities.

[3]: ISO 8217 – International Standards Petroleum products — Fuels (class F) — Specifications of marine fuels – Table 2.

[4]: ISO 8217 notes that the marine industry continues to build on its understanding of the impact of specific chemical species and the respective critical concentrations at which detrimental effects are observed on the operational characteristics of marine fuels in use. It also states that it is not practical to require detailed chemical analysis for each delivery of fuel beyond the requirements listed in Table 1 (distillate marine) or Table 2 (residual marine) in the Standard.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 5 May, 2022

Port & Regulatory

Singapore: MPA issues circular on resolutions adopted by IMO MEPC 84

MPA urges the shipping community to prepare for the implementation of these resolutions, which includes use of multiple engine operational profiles for a marine diesel engine.

Published

3 hours ago

July 14, 2026

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Tuesday (14 July) issued Shipping Circular No. 7 of 2026 to inform on the resolutions adopted by MEPC 84, which was held from 27 April to 1 May 2026:

This circular informs the shipping community of the resolutions adopted by MEPC 84 and urges the shipping community to prepare for the implementation of these resolutions.

MEPC 84 adopted the following mandatory resolutions:

Resolution MEPC.407(84) – Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI (Clarification of entries in data reporting required by Regulations 27 and 28, designation of the North-East Atlantic as an Emission Control Area for Nitrogen Oxides, Sulphur Oxides and Particulate Matter, accessibility to the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database, and review clause of the short-term GHG reduction measure)

This resolution adopts amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, concerning the clarification of entries in data reporting required by regulations 27 and 28, the designation of the North-East Atlantic as an Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides, Particulate Matter and Nitrogen Oxides, the accessibility of the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database (IMO DCS), and the review clause of the short-term GHG reduction measure. The amendments will enter into force on 1 September 2027 and will be given effect through the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea (Air) Regulations.

Resolution MEPC.408(84) – Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI (Use of multiple engine operational profiles for a marine diesel engine, including clarifying engine test cycles)

This resolution adopts amendments to MARPOL Annex VI concerning the use of multiple engine operational profiles for a marine diesel engine, including clarifying the engine test cycles. The amendments will enter into force on 1 September 2027 and will be given effect through the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea (Air) Regulations.

MEPC 84 also adopted the following resolutions:

Resolution MEPC.406(84) – Actions to ensure the protection of the marine environment in the Arabian Sea, Sea of Oman and the Gulf Region, particularly in and around the Strait of Hormuz, resulting from the unlawful activities of the Islamic Republic of Iran

This resolution condemns the attacks against commercial and merchant vessels and maritime infrastructure in the Gulf region. The resolution expresses deep concern over the risks these attacks pose to the marine environment, while encouraging member States to strengthen pollution preparedness and response cooperation.

Resolution MEPC.409(84) – 2026 Guidelines for Ballast Water Management (BWM) and Development of BWM Plans (G4)

This resolution adopts the 2026 Guidelines for BWM and development of BWM Plans, as part of the BWM Convention review. The Committee resolves to revoke the Guidelines for ballast water management and development of BWM Plans adopted by resolution MEPC.127(53) and amended by resolutions MEPC.306(73) and MEPC.370(80) when the amendments to the BWM Convention approved at MEPC 84 enter into force.

Resolution MEPC.410(84) – Amendments to the 2022 Guidelines on the Method of Calculation of the Attained Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for New Ships

This resolution adopts the amendments to the 2022 Guidelines on the method of calculation of the attained EEDI for new ships, to address dual-fuel engines using two liquid fuels, particularly methanol and ethanol, in the EEDI framework.

Resolution MEPC.411(84) – 2026 Guidelines on Survey and Certification of EEDI

This resolution adopts the 2026 Guidelines on survey and certification of the EEDI, to address dual-fuel engines using two liquid fuels, particularly methanol and ethanol, in the EEDI framework.

These Guidelines supersede the 2022 Guidelines on survey and certification of the EEDI (resolution MEPC.365(79), as amended by resolutions MEPC.374(80) and MEPC.403(83)).

Resolution MEPC.412(84) – Amendments to the 2022 Guidelines on Operational Carbon Intensity Indicators and the Calculation Methods (CII Guidelines, G1)

This resolution adopts the amendments to the 2022 CII Guidelines, G1, relating to the clarification of CII calculation obligations in the context of enhanced IMO DCS granularity reporting, specifically on “Transport work (W)”.

Resolution MEPC.413(84) – Amendments to the 2024 Guidelines for the development of a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (2024 SEEMP Guidelines)

This resolution adopts amendments to the 2024 SEEMP Guidelines, relating to the clarification of CII calculation obligations in the context of enhanced IMO DCS granularity reporting, specifically on the “Distance travelled”.

Resolution MEPC.414(84) – 2026 Guidelines for test-bed and onboard measurements of methane (CH4) and/or nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from marine diesel engines

This resolution adopts the 2026 Guidelines for test-bed and onboard measurements of methane (CH4) and/or nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from marine diesel engines, and supersede the earlier Guidelines adopted by resolution MEPC.402(83).

Resolution MEPC.415(84) – Guidelines for engine load monitoring (ELM) and calculation of emission values

This resolution adopts the Guidelines for ELM and calculation of emission values, to specify the method for ELM to establish factors that reflect the actual operation of a marine diesel engine, and for the calculation of emission values.

Resolution MEPC.416(84) – Guidelines for continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS) used to quantify methane (CH4) and/or nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from marine diesel engines

This resolution adopts the Guidelines for CEMS used to quantify methane (CH4) and/or nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from marine diesel engines, which aim to provide a uniform framework for the onboard measurement and mass basis quantification of emissions.

Resolution MEPC.417(84) – 2026 Strategy and the Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships

This resolution adopts the 2026 Strategy and the Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships.

Any queries relating to this circular should be directed to MPA Shipping Division via email at [email protected].

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 14 July, 2026

Business

Oilmar appoints Shawn Ho to senior bunker trading role in Singapore

Ho has been appointed as the Senior Manager, Business Development and Bunker Trading in Oilmar’s Trading Department.

Published

3 hours ago

July 14, 2026

Admin

Oilmar appoints Shawn Ho to senior bunker trading role in Singapore

UAE-based marine fuel and petroleum products trader Oilmar on Monday (13 July) announced the appointment of Shawn Ho as Senior Manager, Business Development and Bunker Trading in its Trading Department in Singapore.

Ho has more than 15 years of experience in the petroleum industry, including 11 years at Toyota Tsusho Petroleum and four years at Adani Global. His experience covers bunker trading, operations, market analysis and risk management.

“His extensive expertise in commercial trading, strategic negotiations, and developing strong partnerships with suppliers and customers makes him a valuable addition to our team,” the company said in a social media post.

“As Oilmar continues to expand its global presence and strengthen its position in the marine fuels market, Shawn’s experience, industry insight, and commercial leadership will play an important role in driving our continued growth and delivering value to our customers.”

Photo credit: Oilmar
Published: 14 July, 2026

Business

Seascale Energy hires Soo Yong Koo as Business Development Director in Singapore

In her new role, Koo will focus on supporting customer growth, strengthening commercial partnerships, and helping customers navigate an increasingly complex marine fuels landscape.

Published

3 hours ago

July 14, 2026

Admin

Seascale Energy hires Soo Yong Koo as Business Development Director in Singapore

Seascale Energy, a bunker procurement joint venture of Cargill’s Pure Marine Fuels and Hafnia’s Bunker Alliance, on Friday (10 July) announced the appointment of Soo Yong Koo as the Business Development Director of the company.

Based at Seascale Energy’s Singapore hub, Koo has more than 25 years of experience in the maritime and energy trading sectors, with expertise in marine fuels, commercial management, business development and customer relations.

She has held senior commercial roles at Trafigura, Mabanaft and BP, with experience spanning physical bunker operations and global sales.

Koo is an active contributor to the marine fuels industry, having served as a Board Member of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA), Asia, a member of the Working Group for Marine Fuels under the Singapore Chemical Industry Council (SCIC), and as a member of the Singapore Shipping Association’s (SSA) Marine Fuels Committee.

In her new role, Koo will focus on supporting customer growth, strengthening commercial partnerships, and helping customers navigate an increasingly complex marine fuels landscape.

The company added that her experience across both conventional and emerging marine fuels aligns closely with Seascale Energy’s ambition to deliver transparent, scalable, and future-ready fuel procurement solutions.

“Soo Yong is highly respected in marine fuels, with 25 years of commercial and operational experience and a strong industry footprint across the IBIA, SCIC and SSA. Her appointment reflects our commitment to strengthening how we serve customers in Asia and beyond as the fuels landscape continues to evolve,” said Peter Grünwaldt and Olivier Josse, Co-CEOs, Seascale Energy.

Photo credit: Seascale Energy
Published: 14 July, 2026