Petroleum Services News

NorthStandard has published a new white paper focusing on the accelerating adoption of biofuels in commercial shipping. ‘Biofuels – Driving the green transition’ brings together insights from NorthStandard, supplier World Fuel and leading testing agency Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS), in a unique discussion document outlining biofuel uptake, potential issues and loss prevention measures. Many owner-operators who seek a drop-in solution to drive maritime decarbonization choose biofuel blends.

IBIA – International Bunker Industry Association Board announced the outcome of their elections at the IBIA Annual General Meeting (AGM), ahead of the IBIA Annual Dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s Park Lane.A total of eleven candidates stood for election for the four available Board positions. Following the close of voting, it is confirmed that the following candidates have been elected/re-elected to serve a three-year term on the IBIA Board:Claudia Beumer, C4 fuel B.V.Gianmichele Campanella…

In the high-stakes world of marine fuel procurement, where average deliveries can exceed $1 million, precision and accountability are everything. Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) has been conducting Bunker Quantity Surveys (BQS) since 1987 and has delivered close to 200,000 surveys across the globe.In a recent analysis of 10,000 VPS surveys, results show that a single vessel could save up to $145,000 per year by identifying short deliveries, detecting density discrepancies, and properly measuring remaining onboard fuel (ROB).

The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) has successfully completed its final supply chain trial for biofuel blended with very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO).This marks the end of a series of trials initiated in July 2022 as part of a larger pilot to develop a framework to provide quality, quantity and GHG abatement assurances for drop-in fuels.In this final trial, bp provided the B30 biofuel blend to the TIHAMA, a 19,870 TEU container vessel operated by Hapag-Lloyd.The…

Erika Graziuso, Chief Information Officer, Crowley, brings a breadth and depth of non-maritime experience to bear in her quest to drive Crowley’s digital transformation in the name of decarbonization, holistic transportation efficiency and crew attraction and retention.Emulating best practices from industries outside of maritime has been a mantra in boardrooms and conferences for decades, as traditional maritime mindset has, at times, been seen as an impediment to achieving next-level efficiency.Enter Erika Graziuso…

The Port of Los Angeles has recognized the achievements of more than two dozen shipping lines and carriers for participating in the Port’s Vessel Speed Reduction Program (VSRP), an air quality and annual incentive program for vessel operators who reduce their speed as they approach or depart the port.The voluntary program is one of many sustainability efforts currently underway at the Port to reduce emissions and decarbonize operations.Emission reductions are achieved under the…

State oil giant Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC) plans to float its marine and logistics subsidiary in the coming months, two sources said, the second initial public offering of one of its businesses this year.ADNOC, which raised $2.5 billion from listing its gas business in March, is gearing up for a June listing of ADNOC Logistics & Services (ADNOC L&S), said the sources, declining to be named as the matter is not public.HSBC was appointed as joint global coordinator on the syndicate this week…

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, which oversees the world's biggest marine refuelling hub, said it is investigating the suspected contamination of bunker fuel supplied to several ships in the port and had ordered supply of the batch to be halted.At least 14 ships that received tainted high-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) from Singapore suffered loss of power and engine problems, Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) said late last week."We detected contamination in 34 fuel samples and we are aware of 14 vessels that have suffered damages.

A major bunker fuel contamination has affected at least 14 shipping vessels that received high sulfur fuel oil (HSFO) from Singapore, fuel, and oil testing firm Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) said.The company said an increasing number of ships were getting affected by the tainted bunker fuel after 34 vessels were identified to have received HSFO deliveries from two unnamed Singapore suppliers over the last two months that were contaminated with up to 2,000 parts per million…

State oil firm Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is weighing an initial public offering (IPO) of its marine services, logistics and shipping arm next year, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.ADNOC Logistics & Services (ADNOC L&S) has been selected for a potential float in Abu Dhabi in 2022, said the sources, declining to be named as the matter is not public.A deal could follow after testing investor appetite and market conditions, they said.ADNOC declined to comment when contacted by Reuters on Sunday.Gulf oil producers are looking at sales of stakes in energy assets…

Centerline Logistics acquired Saltchuk Marine Services’ California ship refueling business, currently operated by subsidiary Foss Maritime Company. According to a press release from Centerline, this "major acquisition" brings together the combined capabilities of two of the nation’s leaders in petroleum transportation, strengthening Centerline’s position as a provider of around the clock bunkering (ship refueling) services.Through this expansion, Centerline will "substantially…

Fast-growing offshore windfarms expect low carbon service operations by support vessels, but supplying and handling biofuels is a challenge and the development of ammonia and hydrogen-powered vessels still has a long way to go, ship fuel broker and trader LQM Petroleum Services said.The global offshore wind industry continues to balloon, adding 6.1 GW capacity in 2019 and has continued to grow through the Covid-19 pandemic, the company reminded."In Europe the sector has now reached…

Crowley Fuels took delivery Tuesday of its new Alaska Class 100,000-barrel, articulated tug-barge (ATB), which will be used to transport petroleum products for the Alaska market, from Bollinger Shipyards.Crowley will operate the 483-foot ATB for Alaska-based Petro Star Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC) under a long-term charter. Crowley Shipping’s petroleum services group will operate the ATB on behalf of Crowley Fuels.The ATB is the first in Crowley’s fleet to be dedicated to the Alaska market.

Malaysian integrated oil and gas services company Sapura Energy Berhad has been awarded five new contracts valued at approximately RM1.3 billion ($US311 million).All five contracts have been awarded to the Sapura’s wholly owned subsidiaries, with works to take place in Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia and the Gulf of Suez."The contract wins demonstrate Sapura Energy’s continued pursuit to deepen its presence in existing core markets, break into new markets and expand its scope of services," said a press release.The growing orderbook is expected to increase asset utilisation for the Group and contribute to improving its financial performance.

Singapore’s Swissco Holdings, currently under judicial management, announced that it is disposing of a substantial part of its offshore support vessels division, which is expected to help reduce the group's liabilities.UAE's Allianz Middle East Ship Management has signed a deal to buy most of the OSV fleet of Swissco, said a stock exchange annoucement from the restructuring vessel-owner."The Vessels are being sold on an “as-iswhere-is” basis. Only 3 of the 25 Vessels proposed to be disposed of are on charter. The remainder of the Vessels are not under charter and are minimally utilised or unutilised by the Group," said the statement.Additionally…

London-based E&P company Panoro Energy said its Norwegian subsidiary Panoro Tunisia Production has reached an agreement with OMV Exploration & Production GmbH to acquire 100 percent of the shares of OMV Tunisia Upstream GmbH.According to the Oslo-listed company, the acquisition is for a cash consideration of $65 million.OMV Tunisia Upstream holds a 49 percent interest in five oil producing concessions in Tunisia with net 2P reserves of 8.1 million barrels, and net production of approximately 2,000 bopd from 14 wells.It also owns 50 percent Thyna Petroleum Services, which serves as the operating company for the five oil producing concessions.

Leading Greek shipping industry stakeholders joined ABS, a global provider of classification and technical advisory services to the marine and offshore industries, for a workshop on drafting 2020 sulfur limit Ship Implementation Plans (SIP).Intended to help shipping companies and crew ready their vessels for compliance with the required sulfur content limit of 0.50% by 1 January 2020, the ABS workshop identified risks associated with design and operations of vessels in relation to the IMO regulation, including a HAZID study. “As the leading class organization in Greece, many in the industry are looking to ABS for guidance in managing the transition to operating under the 2020 sulfur limit.

Wärtsilä and Crowley Petroleum Services said they are continuing their co-operation by extending and expanding their maintenance agreement for 11 articulated tug barges (ATBs) owned and operated by Crowley. The agreement, signed in December 2017, extends the original contract term from 2019 to 2023, and covers the maintenance of 22 Wärtsilä engines installed on board 11 ATBs. With the contract Crowley receives a comprehensive maintenance package, access to prompt technical service and troubleshooting and a response time guarantee in case of unforeseen circumstances requiring immediate action.

Eighty-seven vessels owned or managed by Crowley Maritime Corporation recently received the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA)’s annual Jones F. Devlin Awards in recognition of their 2016 safety records. Each year, the CSA grants Devlin Award certificates to manned merchant vessels that have operated for two or more years without incurring a Lost Time Injury (LTI), highlighting the skills and dedication of the crewmembers responsible for safe vessel operations. Crowley’s 2016 Devlin Award-worthy vessels together have achieved 670 years of service without an LTI.

Eighteen Jones Act petroleum vessels owned and/or operated by Crowley Maritime Corp. have been loaded to discharge gasoline and diesel into Florida ports in the coming few days. The mobilization responds to fuel shortages caused by the unprecedented evacuation of millions of Floridians ahead of Hurricane Irma. The vessels include Crowley’s MT Ohio and Florida, which were among the first tankers to bring fuel into the Port of Tampa on Tuesday along with MT West Virginia in Port Everglades. Fuel is being discharged to all of the major terminals in Florida – Jacksonville, Port Canaveral and Ft.

The marine fuels testing company Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) announced the latest expansion of the company’s lubricant oil condition monitoring (OCM) service. In the company’s continuous drive to offer its customers a widening range of technically advanced, value-added services, VPS have made a significant financial investment to equip their Rotterdam Laboratory with the very latest analytical technology, automation and robotics for the testing of lubricants. The introduction of such advanced equipment and systems, enables a significant increase in the laboratory’s capacity and efficiency and will further assist VPS clients’ effective condition monitoring and routine maintenance programmes.

Crowley Maritime Corp. appointed four industry veterans to oversee the consolidated lines of business under the recently formed Crowley Shipping group, which provides petroleum and chemical transportation, commercial ship management, offshore energy support and ship assist and tanker escort services in the U.S. and international markets. Crowley said the new business unit structure better aligns vessel operations and services with customers, positioning the company for greater growth and efficiency under Rob Grune, senior vice president and general manager.

DNV GL opens LNG test center. The facility, at the organization’s existing renewable energy technology and gas laboratory site is the first type of facility with a capacity compatible for the downstream sector. Its capacity is up to 250kg of liquefied gas and boasts a heat exchanger that allows the temperature of the LNG – and therefore its boil-off – to be precisely regulated. Johan Holstein, Head of gas testing and analysis at DNV GL – Oil & Gas, said the testing of new sensor technology to rapidly identify the composition of LNG would be a priority. “The current accredited technology, gas chromatography, can take 3-5 minutes to show the composition of LNG,” Holstein explained.