Marine fuel shows improvement in 2015

IBIA cited samples taken by testing company Intertek ShipCare, noting that only 8% of samples were found to be off spec from the purchased fuel grade in early 2015, compared with 10% last year.

Jens Maul Jorgensen, chairman, IBIA also noted that demand for higher grade fuel had risen in 2014. “Test figures showed a significant change in purchasing patterns, with a steady increase in the number of distillate fuels being tested,” he said.

“The number of distillate samples being submitted for testing rose by 15% in 2014 compared to the figures for 2013.”
The drop in oil price has meant that there is less incentive for refiners to blend down their products, Jorgensen added, noting an increase in suppliers using ISO2010 and 2012 fuels.

Jorgensen’s comments were made during the IBIA annual dinner earlier this week, which welcomed 1,069 participants. At the event IBIA awarded Honorary Membership to one of its founding members and its first chairman, Doug Barrow.