The largest bunkering center in the United States, Houston, has been hit by another bunkering incident. Fuel Checker VPS has reported a case of bunker contamination at the Texas port.
The Vessel Pre-Shipment System (VPS) identified the presence of DCPD and related isomers at exceptionally high concentrations in VLSFO bunkers delivered from a single supplier in Houston for a period of three months spanning March to May of this year.
Dispersible chemical compounds (DCPDs) are unsaturated compounds that can increase the viscosity and stickiness of bunker fuel. To date, eleven vessels have experienced loss of propulsion and power due to the use of off-standard fuel.
Since the last major case of bunker contamination in Houston happened three years ago, there have been a lot of court cases that have been filed, some of which have been worth tens of millions of dollars.
#USA #Houston #Texas
