VPS completes BQS on Maersk’s first methanol-powered vessel

VPS, a bunker fuel testing company for ship operators, was appointed by Maersk and Hong Lam Marine Pte Ltd, to undertake the very first bunker quantity survey (BQS) of a methanol fuel delivery, supplied by Hong Lam to the Maersk vessel.  

The operation was overseen by the Maritime Port Authority (MPA), ensuring all parties met the stringent safety requirements, following their MPA associated vetting. VPS completes quantity survey on Singapore’s first methanol bunkering operation.

Prior to this first methanol delivery, various levels of pre-delivery work were required including, the delivery barge tank-cleaning operation and a partial loading of methanol to the barge, to ensure no cross contamination could take place, during the actual delivery.

VPS, as part of the BQS operation, also undertook the required closed-sampling procedure to harvest representative samples of the methanol delivered to the vessel, which have now been transferred to a VPS Laboratory for quality testing. VPS completes quantity survey on Singapore’s first methanol bunkering operation.

Over the past 12 months, VPS has invested heavily in new laboratory equipment and R&D to provide a comprehensive methanol testing service in relation to methanol as a marine fuel.

The Maersk vessel will now sail to Port Said, Egypt, where once again VPS will undertake the BQS, sampling and testing of a second delivery of methanol.

The final leg of the voyage, will see the vessel arrive in Rotterdam towards the end of August, with VPS completing their nominated work for BQS, sampling and testing at that time.