# More bunker fuel problems **URL:** \ **Category:** Marine Engineering\ **Created:** [July 20, 2023, 7:39pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/more-bunker-fuel-problems/66660 "2023-07-20T19:39:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 7:39pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/more-bunker-fuel-problems/66660/1 "2023-07-20T19:39:01Z")
Bad bunker fuel is a recurring problem and Houston appears to be the source again: > **[Fuel Contamination Hits 11 Ships Bunkered in Houston](https://maritime-executive.com/article/fuel-contamination-hits-11-ships-bunkered-in-houston)** > > A fuel contamination issue is being traced to a single bunker supplier in the Houston area, according to VPS, a bunker fuel testing and advisory compa... > [@](#): > > In a recent incident of fuel contamination in Houston, 11 ships experienced propulsion failure, while over 100 other vessels were impacted, highlighting the severity of the problem and potential ramifications for the maritime industry. Is it residue from fracking fluid or are somebody getting rid of troublesome waste the cheap way? Bunker contamination may be more widespread than commonly known: > **[FuelTrust report reveals alarming bunker discrepancies](https://www.offshore-energy.biz/fueltrust-report-reveals-alarming-bunker-discrepancies/)** > > Between 2021 and 2022, more than 39% of global bunkers exhibited a fuel content delta of 2% or more than in their paperwork, FuelTrust said. > [@](#): > > “In the past year, over 600 vessels were disabled through fuel problems, despite the fuel being ‘on-spec’, resulting in estimated global supply chain losses exceeding $5 billion. Both fuel suppliers and shipowners incurred financial losses, which are difficult to detect and make claims against,” FuelTrust said. * * * ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 2:41pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/more-bunker-fuel-problems/66660/2 "2023-08-09T14:41:06Z")
In a repeat of the last fuel contamination case,this one has now spread to Singapore: > **[Fuel contamination spreads to Singapore  - Splash247](https://splash247.com/fuel-contamination-spreads-to-singapore/)** > > The fuel contamination incident in Houston Splash reported on a month ago has now spread to Singapore, the world’s largest bunkering hub. Fuel checker VPS reported a VLSFO contamination case at the Texan port on July 11, the largest bunkering hub in... ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2023, 10:00pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/more-bunker-fuel-problems/66660/3 "2023-10-01T22:00:35Z")
Bunker metering systems – how do they work and why are they needed?: > **[Mass flow metering in bunkering](https://www.iims.org.uk/mass-flow-metering-bunkering/)** > > The use of a Mass Flow Metering)system will become mandatory for marine fuel deliveries from 1 of January 2017. ---
**Author:** ![jimrr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/jimrr/32/38358_2.png) [@jimrr](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/jimrr)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 4:37pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/more-bunker-fuel-problems/66660/4 "2023-10-02T16:37:41Z")
I assume the fuel is run thru the centrifuge before it hits the day tank so it must be some serious contamination? maybe it isn’t being run thru the centrifuge?? ---
**Author:** ![yacht\_sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ed655f/32.png) [@yacht\_sailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/yacht_sailor)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 4:51pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/more-bunker-fuel-problems/66660/5 "2023-10-02T16:51:28Z")
Is it solids or liquid chemicals? ---
**Author:** ![jimrr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/jimrr/32/38358_2.png) [@jimrr](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/jimrr)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 5:16pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/more-bunker-fuel-problems/66660/6 "2023-10-02T17:16:52Z")
as usual, for a engineer the article is about as informative as talking to a dinner fork!! ---
**Author:** ![Handspake](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/handspake/32/71168_2.png) [@Handspake](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Handspake)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2026, 6:03pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/more-bunker-fuel-problems/66660/7 "2026-07-15T18:03:42Z")
Fuels that comply with routine ISO 8217 testing can still generate operational problems on board, the LR’s Fuel Quality Report revealed. [Off-spec bunker fuel a growing risk, Lloyd’s Register warns](https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/bunkering/off-spec-bunker-fuel-a-growing-risk-lloyd-s-register-warns?utm_campaign=STRADE_News_Seatrade%20Maritime%20Daily%20Headlines_NL_20260715&utm_emailname=STRADE_News_Seatrade%20Maritime%20Daily%20Headlines_NL_20260715&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eloqua&utm_MDMContactID=55f19093-7115-414c-9f93-60ba306496f0&utm_campaigntype=Newsletter&eM=ef97378db2f68a80ee239ae482cae5f76ff71cd22d6d494cb57fcd6040364771&eventSeriesCode=ES_SEATRDMTMCTNT&eventEditionCode=MTM00SRC&sessionCode=S_STRDMTMNEWS&sp_eh=ef97378db2f68a80ee239ae482cae5f76ff71cd22d6d494cb57fcd6040364771) ---
**Author:** ![Handspake](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/handspake/32/71168_2.png) [@Handspake](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Handspake)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2026, 8:26pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/more-bunker-fuel-problems/66660/8 "2026-07-16T20:26:23Z")
" **Manipulation against the flow** Despite the broadening appeal, and the tamper‑resistant design work that has gone into MFM solutions, there have been instances that show they can still be manipulated through physical or operational interference. The most well‑known example concerns the bunker tankers Southernpec 6 and Southernpec 7 in Singapore. Between 2016 and 2019, industrial‑strength magnets were placed on the MFM sensors to distort measurement signals, causing the meters to record more fuel than was actually delivered. The fraud resulted in buyers being cheated of over US$300,000 worth of marine fuel oil. > **[No switching off when bunker mass flow meters are switched on](https://safety4sea.com/no-switching-off-when-bunker-mass-flow-meters-are-switched-on/)** > > While Mass Flow Meters have significantly improved transparency and accuracy in bunker deliveries, experience shows that they are not immune ---
**Author:** ![jimrr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/jimrr/32/38358_2.png) [@jimrr](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/jimrr)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2026, 3:06am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/more-bunker-fuel-problems/66660/9 "2026-07-19T03:06:55Z")
must be a pretty isolated instance: nothing fools a sounding tape. I once told the CE fuel delivery was computed at 68F, we were around the equator and i figured the usg was paying for about 450 USG extra!! …I’m not even sure the CE knew this but it never made it to main deck.