You are using an outdated browser For a better experience using this site, please upgrade to a modern web browser. Subscribe Get Daily Email Subscribe --> Contact Us Sign in Home News & Features Compliance Costs Bunker Prices Bunker Intelligence World News Latest Features World Americas EMEA Asia/Pacific Home News & Features World Shale Oil Presence Alone Is Not Evidence of Bunker Fuel Quality Deficiencies: IBIA Shale Oil Presence Alone Is Not Evidence of Bunker Fuel Quality Deficiencies: IBIA by Ship & Bunker News Team Monday July 27, 2026 Tweet Follow @shipandbunker VPS had identified fuels supplied in Singapore with increased Estonian shale oil components. File Image / Pixabay Industry body IBIA has responded to recent concerns over bunker fuel quality, saying current evidence does not link shale oil compounds to the reported operational issues. IBIA said in a statement issued on Monday that it is aware of reports highlighting operational issues involving certain residual bunker fuels and that its Technical Working Group had reviewed the available information. "While these reports raise legitimate questions that warrant further investigation, the available evidence does not establish a direct causal relationship between the presence of these compounds and the operational issues reported," the association said. Lloyd's Register testing service  FOBAS  and testing firm VPS had previously identified marine fuels supplied in Singapore with increased levels of   shale oil components.  “ Their presence alone should not be regarded as evidence of fuel quality deficiencies or non-compliance While VPS said no vessels using these fuels had reported operational issues, it urged caution over the potential for delayed impacts linked to fuel stability and composition. IBIA noted that shale oil-derived hydrocarbons are permitted under the ISO 8217 marine fuel standard and that their presence alone should not be regarded as evidence of poor fuel q