THE Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has suspended Glencore Unit's Bunker Licence over a contaminated fuel supply, reports Ventura, California's gCaptain.
While the MPA's investigation found no evidence that Glencore or PetroChina had intentionally contaminated the fuel, it did show that Glencore continued to supply the fuel even after learning of the contamination.
MPA launched an investigation in March after learning that a number of ships had been supplied with high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) containing high levels of chlorinated organic compounds (COC), which are not normally found in bunker fuel.
Samples of the fuel were traced to local units of Glencore and PetroChina, both of whom are MPA-licensed bunker suppliers at the Port of Singapore.
An MPA investigation into the incident found that the source of the contaminated fuel could be traced to a fuel cargo originating at the Port of Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates. While the MPA's investigation found no evidence that Glencore or PetroChina had intentionally contaminated the fuel, it did show that Glencore continued to supply the fuel even after learning of the contamination.
According to the MPA, Glencore confirmed the contaminatation through required laboratory testing between March 21 and 23, 2022, yet it continued to supply bunkers blended with the fuel to ships in the Port of Singapore from March 22 up until April 1.
In total, Glencore supplied 24 vessels with the fuel and at least three reported issues with their fuel pumps and engines.
On the other hand, PetroChina stopped delivery of the fuel promptly on March 19 upon receiving its own test results.
The MPA said that Glencore failed to meet the terms and conditions of its MPA-issued Bunkering Licence and has suspened its licence for two months starting August 18.
SeaNews Turkey
While the MPA's investigation found no evidence that Glencore or PetroChina had intentionally contaminated the fuel, it did show that Glencore continued to supply the fuel even after learning of the contamination.
MPA launched an investigation in March after learning that a number of ships had been supplied with high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) containing high levels of chlorinated organic compounds (COC), which are not normally found in bunker fuel.
Samples of the fuel were traced to local units of Glencore and PetroChina, both of whom are MPA-licensed bunker suppliers at the Port of Singapore.
An MPA investigation into the incident found that the source of the contaminated fuel could be traced to a fuel cargo originating at the Port of Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates. While the MPA's investigation found no evidence that Glencore or PetroChina had intentionally contaminated the fuel, it did show that Glencore continued to supply the fuel even after learning of the contamination.
According to the MPA, Glencore confirmed the contaminatation through required laboratory testing between March 21 and 23, 2022, yet it continued to supply bunkers blended with the fuel to ships in the Port of Singapore from March 22 up until April 1.
In total, Glencore supplied 24 vessels with the fuel and at least three reported issues with their fuel pumps and engines.
On the other hand, PetroChina stopped delivery of the fuel promptly on March 19 upon receiving its own test results.
The MPA said that Glencore failed to meet the terms and conditions of its MPA-issued Bunkering Licence and has suspened its licence for two months starting August 18.
SeaNews Turkey