Yesterday, we came together at VPS for our Annual Integrity and Impartiality Training 2026 — a day dedicated to reinforcing the principles that define who we are as an organization.

Integrity is the core of our culture. It shapes how we make decisions, how we treat one another, and how we take responsibility for the work we do. The VPS Integrity Day gives us the space to pause, reflect, and recommit to the standards that define us. It’s a reminder that doing the right thing isn’t a slogan, it’s a daily practice.

This year’s sessions were held across the globe, in The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Greece, Germany, Norway, Singapore, Fujairah, Japan, China and the United States, bringing colleagues together with a shared focus on strengthening our commitment to doing the right thing.

Throughout the sessions, we explored what integrity and impartiality truly mean in practice, how they connect to our VPS values, and why they are essential to maintaining trust, independence, and the high standards our customers expect. Through open discussions and real workplace scenarios, we reflected on how these principles guide our decisions every day — even in challenging situations.

A big thank you to everyone who participated, contributed, and shared their perspectives. Your engagement is what makes these sessions meaningful and impactful.

Today, the Singapore Standards Development Organization have released a caselet covering the TR140:2025, which is a technical reference specification for marine biofuels. 

TR140 closely aligns with the VPS thinking and approach relating to the quality control requirements for the use of Biofuels as a marine fuel. As such, VPS fully supports the adoption of TR140 and the additional benefits it brings in overcoming challenges in maritime decarbonization.

Key benefits of TR140:

Ensure the quality of marine biofuel by applying globally recognised test methods.

Provide guidance on the use of marine biofuel, e.g. storage handling, fuel consumption, engine performance, maintenance, and operation.

Support regulatory compliance with the use of marine biofuels, and by lowering carbon intensity and minimising contamination.

Reduce environmental impact and strengthen sustainability.

The caselet can be read here: https://scic.sg/sdoscic/index.php/resources 
 

Bad Bunkers – Are Bunker Tests Good Enough?

VPS Group Marketing & Strategic Projects Director, Steve Bee, will be joining the Marine Insurance Greece event to be held at The Eugenides Foundation, Athens, 6th-7th May 2026.

Steve will participate in a Panel Discussion entitled: Bad Bunkers – Are Bunker Tests Good Enough?, where he will join industry experts, Simon Jackson, Partner - DAC Beachcroft, Gillian Stanton, FD&D Claims Director – Greece, North Standard, Alex Gullen, Senior Claims Handler & Adjuster Oslo – Norwegian Hull Club.

Join this insightful panel session at 16:40 on 6th May 2026: https://marineinsurancegreece.com/agenda/ 

Stanley George – VPS Group Technical & Science Manager
Steve Bee – VPS Group Marketing & Strategic Projects Director

VPS has seen an increase in the levels of shale oil components in marine fuels bunkered recently in Singapore. Although we have received no reports of problems, from vessels using these fuels, we do recommend caution as detailed below:

Over the course of February and March 2026, VPS  testing identified 90,000mt of delivered VLSFO bunkers containing compounds consistent with an Estonian Shale Oil derived stream. Estonian Shale Oil has and is, often used as a blend component in bunker fuel, but has also been known to de-stabilise fuel, producing sludges and blocking ships filters.

Estonian Shale Oil contains high-boiling phenolic compounds such as, resorcinol and alkyl benzenediols, which can give rise to high acid numbers, often above the ISO8217 specification limit of 2.5 KOH/g.

The recent VLSFO samples bunkered in Singapore, contained resorcinol and alkyl benzenediol concentrations between 4,000ppm-13,200ppm and elevated acid numbers ranging from 1.98KOH/g-2.34 KOH/g.

Despite these findings, no operational issues have been reported so far from vessels that are consuming these fuels.

Yet, while shale oil derived components may be incorporated into marine fuel blends permitted under ISO 8217,  when present in marine fuel blends, it can still present operational challenges depending upon blend stability and composition. The presence of phenols, resorcinols, fatty acids, and related oxygenated compounds is not typical of conventionally refined marine fuels. Any observed elevated acid numbers may indicate, unusual blend components resulting in potential instability risks.

Based on our experience and industry data, resorcinol and alkyl benzenediols present within marine fuels may initially show such fuels as compliant to the ISO8217 specifications. However, over time there can be a risk of delayed operational issues, including, sludge formation, filter and purifier fouling/blockages, plus possible impacts on fuel injection equipment cleanliness and performance. Therefore, regarding the latest VLSFO fuels delivered in Singapore, the absence of issues at this stage does not preclude delayed effects, particularly with, storage stability, long-term use, or system cleanliness.

Consequently VPS would recommend the following precautionary measures when handling such fuels:

To undertake enhanced monitoring of the fuel treatment plant (purifiers and filters), differential pressures and sludge discharge rates and injection system performance.

Regarding Fuel Management, avoid unnecessary co-mingling with other fuels, unless compatibility is confirmed. Maintain optimal settling and purification practices, such as regular draining of settling tanks, while the correct purifier inlet temperatures and minimum feed rates are maintained.

Record-Keeping should continue to maintain detailed engine logbook entries, including tank sounding records with details of all fuel transfers, fuel consumption periods, plus any abnormalities in system performance.

Sampling and Testing should include the retention of additional samples from, before-purifiers and engine-inlets, plus checking the quality of the fuel entering the engine by monitoring, sediment, stability, and acid number trends.

The vessel should seek clarification from the suppliers regarding the blend components used, plus the source of any elevated acid number and any use of alternative feedstocks (e.g. shale-derived streams).

Following these recent cases of elevated acid numbers and the presence of phenolic and oxygenated compounds, VPS have contacted each of the vessels who received these fuels. All have confirmed they have not experienced any operational issues to date, when burning the fuel.

However, based on both VPS experience and industry findings, these fuels require close operational monitoring and cautious handling, particularly with respect to fuel stability and cleanliness of the fuel treatment system.

VPS will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as further operational feedback becomes available.

If you experience any operational issues relating to those highlighted in this article, please seek assistance from VPS by contacting: stanley.george@vpsveritas.com