Posted on: 3 February 2021
The UK P&I Club has released the latest video in its online ‘Ask an Expert’ series, featuring speakers from Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) discussing the increasing prevalence of fuel combustion since the introduction of low sulphur fuel requirements.
Fuel combustion in an engine is a complex reaction, with unpredictability in composition of residual marine fuels making it even more difficult to forecast. Since the implementation of the MARPOL requirements and the transition to very low sulphur fuel oils (VLSFOs), the industry has seen an upsurge in incidents resulting in cylinder liner damages of large two-stroke engines.
Ansuman Ghosh, Director of Risk Assessment at UK P&I Club talks with Ian Crutchley and Paul Parkinson of VPS about the management of change to VLSFOs, their effects on machinery, including excessive liner wear and the importance of cylinder lubrication to maintenance of engines.
The ‘Ask an Expert’ video series provide specialist analysis and insight on a range of specific topics from leading figures in the marine sector. Informative and concise in their 30-minute format, the videos are designed to give the audience a broad understanding of an issue in an optimised timeframe.
Stuart Edmonston, Loss Prevention Director at UK P&I Club says: “The transition of the majority of the world’s fleet to low sulphur fuels was necessary, but like any industry-wide change of this scale it has come with teething problems. VLSFOs are here to stay, so it’s imperative that ship operators understand how they interact and react with their engines and component parts.
“This video resource gives valuable guidance and helps shipowners and crew to get to grips with factors that may lead to fuel combustion and long-term engine damage, such as fuel quality, density, compatibility and viscosity.”
The ‘Ask an Expert’ video on fuel combustion with Veritas Petroleum Services can be viewed here.
