VISWA LAB Tel: USA (713) 842-1985

12140 Almeda Road, Fax: USA (713) 842-1981

Email: customerhelp@viswalab.com
Houston, Texas 77045, USA Web: http://www.viswalab.com

TECHNICAL UPDATE: 2016/10/10

INCREASED NUMBER OF LOW FLASHPOINT DISTILLATE FUELS IN NEW

YORK AREA
Over the last few weeks, Viswa Lab has identified 15 fuels with low flashpoint
(between 55 degC and 57 degC) from the ports of New York and Newark. All the off
spec fuels were low sulfur MGO’s and all the other tested parameters met Table 1
specifications listed in ISO 8217.
The off spec fuels were supplied by 4 different suppliers.
This fuel falls outside the SOLAS and ISO 8217 requirements of flash point of 60.00
degC minimum. As per SOLAS requirements, the minimum flash point of any fuel
carried in the tanks of a ship should be not less than 60.00 deg C. There is no
permissible negative tolerance. This applies to any fuel onboard the vessel (with
exception of fuel for lifeboats which can be grade DMX with a flash point min of 43
degC).
The off spec flashpoint is likely to be from re‐refined discarded lube oil from
automobiles. Gasoline which would have mixed with crank case oil is released during
the re‐refining and this is captured in a separate stream. This is colorless and has very
low flashpoint. It is likely that this is mixed with the distillate fuels.
When you are ordering fuels in the New York area you should insist on getting the
actual flash point values from the supplier.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.
Best regards,
Dr.Vis

VISWA LAB – HOUSTON – SINGAPORE – UK ‐ UAE 1