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VPS develops new method to measure Wax Appearance Temperature of VLSFOs

Wax Appearance Temperature is the actual Cloud Point of new fuels and is the most definitive cold-flow property to prevent wax precipitation, states VPS.

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International fuel testing and inspection company Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) on Friday (18 October) said it has developed and launched a new test method which accurately measures the Wax Appearance Temperature (WAT) of the new Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFOs) marine fuels.

The benefits of this method are detailed in a White Paper written by VPS Group Managing Director, Dr Malcolm Cooper, including the laboratory work undertaken by VPS Chemist, Dr Joshua Sun, which is available on demand.

The IMO2020 legislation has resulted in the emergence of new compliant marine fuels to a maximum sulphur content of 0.5%, according to VPS.

The majority of these fuels are and will be, blended products containing a greater level of paraffinic component, than previously seen with High Sulphur Fuel Oils (HSFOs).

As a consequence, these new Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oils (VLSFOs) will exhibit a higher potential for wax to precipitate from the fuel solution, due to temperature-related issues, causing various operational problems onboard ship.

“The temperature at which wax precipitation starts is highly dependent upon chemical composition which varies significantly from fuel to fuel,” it explains.

“Current test methods do not enable cloud point to be measured for either residual fuels or the new VLSFOs, due to their opacity. As a consequence, pour point, is the only cold-flow test available for such fuels, with the instruction to store fuels at least 10°C above the tested pour point.

“However, due to the higher paraffinic content of VLSFO’s, wax may well form within the fuel at a much higher temperature than +10ºC above Pour Point and whilst unseen to the naked eye, this wax is likely to cause fuel storage, handling and transfer problems.”

The temperature at which wax crystals form, i.e. the Wax Appearance Temperature (WAT) is the actual Cloud Point of the new fuels and is the most definitive cold-flow property of the fuel to prevent wax precipitation, states VPS.

“In order to prevent wax formation within VLSFO fuels, measurement of the Wax Appearance Temperature (WAT) is very important as the WAT varies considerably across the range of the many VLSFO fuels VPS have tested to date,” it concludes.

“Fuel maintained above the WAT throughout the vessel, will prevent cold-flow problems during storage and pumping of the fuel on board the vessel since wax crystal will not form.

“Therefore, WAT analysis can be a key contributor in avoiding fuel management issues associated with the new VLSFO fuels.”

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 21 October, 2019

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Winding up

Singapore: Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping Pte Ltd to be wound up voluntarily

Nicholas James Gronow, director of the Singapore-based bunker tanker owner, filed a statutory declaration last year for the company, stating the firm cannot continue their businesses due to its liabilities.

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Several written resolutions for Singapore-based bunker tanker owner Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping Pte Ltd (HTFS) were approved by the sole shareholder of the company on 19 June, according to a post in the Government Gazette on Friday (26 June).

Manifold Times previously reported a director of HTFS filing a statutory declaration (SD) with the Official Receiver’s office stating that the company cannot continue its business due to its liabilities.

The company was reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd. 

The duly passed resolutions were:

SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS:

  • That the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 160(1)(b) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 (No. 40 of 2018).
  • That the Liquidators be authorised to exercise any or all of the powers provided under Section 144(1)(b), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) and 144(2) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 (No. 40 of 2018).
  • That the Liquidators be and are hereby authorised to distribute in cash or in specie any or all of the assets of the Company remaining after satisfaction of all debts and liabilities.

ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS:

  • That Mr. Wong Pheng Cheong Martin and Ms. Koay May Yee, both care of FTI Consulting (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., One Raffles Quay #27-10 South Tower Singapore 048583 be and are hereby appointed the joint and several Liquidators of the Company for the purpose of such winding up and that the Liquidators be indemnified by the Company against all costs, charges, losses, expenses and liabilities incurred or sustained by them in the execution and discharge of their duties in relation thereto.
  • That the remuneration of the Liquidators be based on their normal scale rates for carrying out the engagement plus disbursements and the prevailing goods-and-services tax and that the Liquidators’ remuneration be paid out of the assets of the Company.

In another notice, the liquidators of Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping said creditors for the company are required on or before the 27 July to send in their names and addresses and particulars of their debts or claims, and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the liquidators. 

Liquidators may also require creditors to, “come in and prove their debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts are proved.”

The liquidators can be contacted at the following address:

WONG PHENG CHEONG MARTIN
KOAY MAY YEE
JOINT AND SEVERAL LIQUIDATORS
of FTI Consulting (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
One Raffles Quay
#27-10 South Tower
Singapore 048583

Related: Singapore: Director declares Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping’s inability to continue business
Related: Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping in court over DBS Bank bunker tanker loan
Related: Singapore: Bunker tanker “Coastal Neptune” arrested
Related: Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping, Coastal Logistics tankers enter S&P market

 

Photo credit: Benjamin child
Published: 29 June, 2026

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Incident

MPA ‘deeply concerned’ over projectile strike on Singapore-registered ship in Hormuz Strait

Container ship “Ever Lovely” sustained minor damage to the bridge area from an unknown projectile while leaving the Strait of Hormuz on 25 June at about 10pm (Singapore Time).

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Container ship “Ever Lovely”

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Friday (26 June) said the Singapore-registered container ship Ever Lovely sustained minor damage to the bridge area from an unknown projectile while leaving the Strait of Hormuz on 25 June at about 10pm (Singapore Time). 

The vessel has since completed its transit through the Strait of Hormuz and is proceeding on its voyage.

“All 21 crew members are safe. There are no Singaporeans onboard,” MPA said in a statement. 

MPA said it will continue to remain in close contact with the vessel’s management company and provide the necessary assistance.

“MPA is deeply concerned about the incident, which was unprovoked, unjustifiable, and a breach of international law,” it added.

“All actions affecting international shipping must fully comply with international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and not endanger the safety of seafarers and ships at sea.”

 

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Michael Schindler
Published: 29 June, 2026

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Bunker Fuel

Singapore: MaritimeONE Case Summit 2026 spotlights bunkering, decarbonisation challenges

This year’s challenge statements focus on maritime logistics optimisation, carbon emissions reduction, energy security and bunkering decision-making amid geopolitical uncertainty.

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Singapore: MaritimeONE Case Summit 2026 spotlights bunkering, decarbonisation challenges

The Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) recently launched the 7th edition of the MaritimeONE Case Summit, in partnership with industry sponsors. 

Through this annual case competition, students from Singapore’s universities and polytechnics will apply their knowledge to respond to some of the maritime industry’s most pressing challenges, hone teamwork and cross-disciplinary skills, and build professional networks. 

Supported by industry sponsors AET, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Petredec Global and Pacific International Lines (PIL), this year’s challenge statements focus on maritime logistics optimisation, carbon emissions reduction, energy security and bunkering decision-making amid geopolitical uncertainty.

Registration for the competition runs from 24 June to 27 July, with the proof-of-concept submission due 12 August.

Students are invited to form teams of two to four, select one of four challenge statements to work on, and register by the application deadline. Participating teams will then submit a Proof-of-Concept for evaluation. Following the assessment round, shortlisted finalist teams will be mentored to refine their solutions in preparation for the Closed-Door Judging. Winners will be announced at the Award Ceremony on 23 October 2026.

“The four challenge statements this year reflect key issues that the maritime industry is navigating today. These span environment, social and governance (ESG), energy security, and technology to augment decision-making. I thank AET, MSC, Petredec Global and PIL for putting forward challenges that give students hands-on opportunities to address practical industry issues with rigour and imagination. Such exposures will equip the students better when they join the maritime industry,” said Mr. Hor Weng Yew, Chairman, SMF.

Note: Registration of the competition and more details on the challenge statements can be found here

 

Photo credit: Singapore Maritime Foundation
Published: 29 June, 2026

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