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Independent excellence that protects your fleet’s future
The value of marine fuel quality testing (FQT) cannot be under estimated, with the protection of the vessel, its crew and the environment, being its key drivers. Asset protection is a fundamental step in ensuring minimal maintenance or breakdown costs, improved operational efficiency, whilst improving crew health & safety and achieving compliance, all of which can protect your reputation.
VPS is the world’s leading fuel testing company, testing to ISO8217, with full ISO17025 accreditation for every laboratory and every ISO8217 test. We have also innovatively developed, many proprietary additional tests which provide further fuel quality information, both pre-burn and post-burn, to further support our customers’ asset protection, human health and environmental compliance.
As fuels continue to develop in order to achieve carbon-neutral/carbon-free status, we are committed to further innovative projects to provide testing and advisory solutions.
Fuel Quality Testing | ISO8217
Ship owner-operators and even marine fuel suppliers, will acknowledge marine fuels, their quality and overall onboard fuel management, is becoming increasingly complex. Therefore understanding the potential risks and mitigation of such risks, requires greater understanding and insights into the chemistries and characteristics of each fuel type and grade.
The fundamental starting point for marine fuel quality monitoring is the International Marine Fuel Standard, ISO8217, which assesses if a marine fuel is fit-for-purpose. As the industry’s pioneer in marine fuel quality analysis, VPS introduced the concept of fuel quality testing of marine bunker fuel in 1981, long before the ISO standard even existed, and as a consequence we have led the market for over 45 years. ISO8217 is always our starting point in supporting customers for ensuring their fuel does not cause damage to the vessel’s engine, impact upon crew health and safety, or negatively affect the environment.
Increasing environmental legislation from the IMO’s introduction of MARPOL Annex VI in May 2005 through to IMO 2030/2050 Net Zero targets, has led to the continuous development of marine fuels, from standard fossil fuels to low-sulphur blends, biofuels, methanol, ethanol and more. In parallel, there has been the continuous evolution of the ISO8217 Standard, through numerous revisions. Highlighting the fact, monitoring fuel quality has never been more important to Ship owner-operators.
Our FQT(ISO8217) services also include:
• Fuel System Checks (FSC)
• EET
FQT Process (Methodology) - 1
Collection of a Representative Fuel Sample:
A representative sample is collected at the vessel’s fuel manifold. The importance of proper sampling cannot be over-emphasised. Analysis results are only as good as the samples submitted. The VPS 2-part Instruction Manual that is enclosed in the VPS Sampling Kit provides full information on procedures and documentation requirements.
Transportation of a Fuel Sample:
Fuel samples should be submitted to the laboratory for testing as soon as possible after the bunkering operation is completed.
Our Samplogic online complimentary shipping tool is available to clients. This is designed to offer booking of bunker fuel sample collection, generate the required shipping documents and to track the delivery status of the submitted bunker sample.
For assistance, clients can email samplogic_admin@vpsveritas.com
In situations where there is limited access to the internet, customers can continue to refer to the VPS Air Courier Directory for contact details of the air courier companies for pickups.
FQT Process (Methodology) - 2
Laboratory Testing of the Fuel Sample:
Upon arrival at any of our laboratories, fuel analysis is performed according to the client’s fuel purchasing specification, usually to ISO 8217 requirements. The full suite of tests is normally completed within 24 hours.
Technical Advisory and Release of the FQT Results:
Test results are evaluated by our technical experts who will determine if the fuel has met the required standards and provide you with fuel handling advise for optimal operation performance. The Enhanced FQT Report is available in colour-coded pdf format in two parts comprising specification comparison and an operational trend. If there are urgent issues on the quality of your fuel we will contact you personally.
Additional Tests
Because your vessels deserve more than a minimum standard
Whilst ISO8217 is always the recommended starting point for assessing marine fuel quality, across all its revisions, even the latest ISO8217:2024, does not provide the highest levels of protection from today’s fuels.
Therefore, we recognize you wish to protect your vessels/fleets to a higher level.
As such VPS as the pioneers of additional testing services from both a pre-burn and post-burn perspective, use our experience, expertise and innovative skills, to constantly look to develop new methodologies and tests to support your growing need to understand your fuels and take the necessary fuel management actions.
Chemical Contamination
We have been at the forefront of pre-burn testing and post-burn forensic investigations of fuel for over 20 years, where a significant number of fuels have been affected by the presence of chemical contaminants. These chemicals can cause numerous operational, mechanical, human health and environmental issues.
With the continuing evolution of fuels and the expansion of fuel types, an increasing level of components and compounds are present in the supply chain, resulting in a complex matrix of potential issues with regard to contamination and stability of fuels.
Through our experience and expertise, we have developed a number of proprietary test methods and technologies to identify and measure problematic chemical contaminants.
FQT Sampling Equipment
Sampling Kits
Our sampling kit provides high quality bottles / caps / seals as well as detailed instructions for sampling. Information regarding sulphur legislation and analysis results are also included.
Our kits also include shipment materials that adhere to all IATA regulations to ensure a smooth shipment process.
In view of the critical nature of taking a representative sample of fuels, we provide a complete range of sampling equipment including continuous drip samplers, cubitainers and sampling kits to assist in the collection of a representative sample.
Our FQT kits contain everything needed for the collection, retention, storage and transportation of fuel oil, required for both regulatory and commercial purposes.