BW LPG carrier

BW Green Carriers Takes World Fuel Services to Court over Contaminated Fuels

Norway’s gas transportation company BW Green Carriers AS, part of BW Group, is taking Miami-based bunker supplier World Fuel Services Inc to court over contaminated bunkers.

Image Courtesy: BW LPG

The company filed a complaint at Florida Southern District Court on October 19, 2018, seeking compensation for damages caused by contaminated bunkers to two of its LPG tankers, M/V BW Kyoto and M/V BW Leo, court documents show.

The fuel tanked into the company’s ships in April in the Nederland port in Texas has reportedly caused the ships’ fuel pump systems to clog up, posing a danger to the ships’ engines. The fuel had to be removed before causing any further damage.

Both BW Group and World Fuel Services are yet to provide World Maritime News with a comment on the matter.

Back in September, Trafigura Maritime lodged a complaint against WFSC with Florida Southern District Court over bunker issues.

Contaminated marine fuels are believed to have caused operational issues to over 150 ships this year.

The contaminated fuels were initially delivered to ships in Houston in January this year, followed by Panama, Singapore and Malaysia in April, causing a myriad of technical and mechanical problems for ship owners and operators.

The contaminated fuel can lead to engine failures and associated losses of propulsion, placing the safety of the affected ship and crew at risk.

Shipowners’ associations have vehemently criticized lack of action from maritime authorities to address the issue, curb the further spread of contaminated fuels and investigate the causes of the problem and sources of contamination.

World Maritime News Staff