Lloyd’s Register FOBAS report warns of late year surge in marine fuel quality failures

The new analysis, which follows the publication of the H1 report earlier in 2025, highlights a marked deterioration in fuel quality in the closing months of the year.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has released its latest Fuel Oil Bunker Analysis and  Advisory Service (FOBAS) Fuel Quality Report covering July to December 2025, revealing a sharp rise in the frequency and severity of off specification marine fuel incidents across several of the world’s busiest bunkering hubs.

The second half of 2025 was characterised by a significant concentration of repeated fuel quality failures across major ports including Singapore, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hong Kong and Port Klang.

December saw the highest number of monthly off specification cases recorded in 2025, driven by recurring issues involving high sulphur levels, extreme catalytic fines, elevated sediment, and excessive water content.

Distillate fuels also continued to show vulnerabilities. Repeated flash point failures were recorded in ports such as Civitavecchia, Lisbon, Palermo and Lianyungang, with several samples testing between 47°C and 55°C, well below the SOLAS minimum of 60°C. The report links some of these cases to land-grade diesel entering the marine supply chain, reinforcing the need for strict supplier verification and routine laboratory flash point testing, particularly outside major bunkering hubs.

Murray Kirkwood, Fuel Specialist Consultant, Lloyd’s Register, said: “The clustering of off specification events towards the end of 2025 demonstrates the ongoing volatility of the global marine fuel supply chain. While many fuels continue to meet specification, the scale and severity of late year incidents leave little margin for error and reinforces the need for conservative fuel handling, robust testing regimes and proactive onboard management.”

The FOBAS Fuel Insight: Fuel Quality Report H2 2025 builds on LR’s earlier analysis from the first half of the year. It provides updated data, new case studies and deeper insight into how regional trends are evolving under tightening environmental regulation and changing fuel formulations, including the full enforcement of the Mediterranean Sulphur Emission Control Area.

The report also highlights the importance of proactive fuel management as the industry moves into 2026. With the expansion of the EU Emissions Trading System and the introduction of FuelEU Maritime requirements, operators are expected to encounter a more complex fuel landscape. As new feedstocks, biofuel blends and alternative fuels enter the market, LR notes a growing requirement for robust onboard fuel management and consistent application of best practice sampling and testing procedures.‑practice sampling and testing procedures.

The FOBAS H2 2025 Fuel Quality Report is now available at: FOBAS Fuel Insight: Fuel quality reports | LR

About FOBAS

LR’s FOBAS service provides industry-leading expertise in fuel testing, advisory, and risk mitigation strategies, supporting ship operators in navigating the complexities of fuel quality and regulatory compliance.  

The FOBAS Fuel Insight Programme is a bi-annual series of fuel quality reports, which share the knowledge and experience of the FOBAS team in a comprehensive and easily accessible format. It is not just about testing fuel, it’s about empowering the maritime industry with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed decision, reduce risks, and embrace the future of sustainable shipping.   

About Lloyd’s Register             

Trusted maritime and energy sector advisors, partnering with clients to drive performance across the ocean economy.  

Lloyd’s Register (LR) is a global professional services group specialising in marine and offshore engineering, technology and digital solutions. We were created more than 260 years ago as the world’s first marine classification society to improve and set standards for the safety of ships.  

Today we are a leading provider of classification and compliance services to the marine and offshore industries, helping our clients design, construct and operate their assets to accepted levels of safety and environmental compliance.  

We also provide advisory services and digital solutions, supporting fleet and voyage performance and optimisation.   

Our digital solutions are relied upon by more than 30,000 vessels, following the acquisition of OneOcean in 2022 and Ocean Technologies Group in 2024.  

In the race to zero emissions, our research, advisory and technical expertise and industry-firsts are supporting a safe, sustainable maritime energy transition.  

Lloyd’s Register Group is wholly owned by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, a politically and financially independent global charity that promotes safety and education.  

For more information, go to www.lr.org