BW LPG, Trafigura and UASC are suing bunker supplier World Fuel Services (WFS) for allegedly supplying contaminated fuel to four vessels.
BW LPG is said to be claiming $700,000 in compensation from the US-listed entity, according to filings made to the US District Court for the South District of Florida, Miami division.
In late April BW LPG purchased bunker heavy fuel oil in Nederland port in Texas for two VLGCs: the 83,229-cbm BW Kyoto (built 2010) and 84,195-cbm BW Leo (built 2015).
The amount of fuel supplied to the BW Kyoto was between 700 and 900 tons, while the quantity supplied for the BW Leo was between 1,400 to 1,650 tons.
However, BW LPG contends that the marine fuel provided to the vessels was “not in accordance” with the quality specifications agreed.
And that as a result it caused “damage” to each vessel’s fuel pump system, necessitating "additional maintenance and cleaning" of the fuel pump systems.
BW LPG added that the vessel was also delayed, and the fuel had to be removed from the vessel’s fuel tanks in order to “prevent damage" to each of the vessel’s engines.
In order to mitigate its damages, BW LPG said it entered into separate agreements with WFS to off-load the off-specification marine fuel from the BW Kyoto in Houston and the BW Leo in Panama and that WFS agreed to pay “a reduced sum for the off-specification marine fuel offloaded from the two ships”.
Trafigura's tanker trouble
Trafigura is suing over bunkers provided to the 70,000-dwt products tanker Freight Margie (built 2004).
It had chartered the ship from Italy's VIS Tankers.
In January, WFS delivered bunkers in Istanbul.
Trafigura alleges that the ship then began to experience certain problems with its engines and diesel generators.
Purifiers and filters became clogged, and the fuel pump, plungers and barrels, fuel valve injection nozzles and spindle guides began to stick, as well as the valves, pistons and cylinder covers of the diesel generators," the suit reads.
After delivery, samples were sent to the VISWA lab for testing.
VISWA said the samples did not meeting ISO specification for Grade RMG380.
Later tests showed the presence of indine, DH-DCPD, napthalene, methyl-napthalene and C-2 napthalene.
VIS Tankers is claiming $126,000 from Trafigura for costs, prompting legal action against WFS.
UASC seeks more than $200,000
Container line UASC wants more than $200,000 from WFS.
Its 8,386-teu UASC Jilfar (now Symi I, built 2014) loaded bunkers in 2016 in Kavkaz, Russia.
"However, the marine fuel provided to the vessel by WFS was not in accordance with the quality specifications agreed upon between WFS and UASC and due to the off-spec condition of the fuel it had to be removed from the vessel’s fuel tanks in order to prevent damage to the vessel’s engines; UASC bore the costs of removing the bunkers and obtaining substitute fuel," UASC said in a court filing.
WFS has been contacted for comment.
