West Continues Collaboration with VPS for 2026–27
West is pleased to announce the renewal of its contract with Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) for 2026–27, continuing a collaboration that provides Members with independent bunker fuel quality statistics and alerts through the Club’s Neptune platform.
West’s Bunker Fuel Quality Advisory Service was launched in 2020. Since then, VPS data has supported regular updates on the quality of Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), Ultra Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (ULSFO) and Marine Gas Oil (MGO) across the globe. Members can use Neptune to review fuel quality statistics in selected ports, while detailed port-specific reports are available upon request from West’s Loss Prevention Department. VPS Bunker Alerts and, more recently, VPS circulars all containing important information on fuel quality for voyage planning are also available through Neptune.
Previous West publications have highlighted recurring concerns identified through VPS data. These included VLSFO sulphur content non-compliance in the Amsterdam–Rotterdam–Antwerp region (link), technical off-specifications affecting most fuel types (link), and continuing risks associated with catalytic fines, water, sediment and other fuel properties. Such findings demonstrate that conditions may differ significantly between ports, fuel grades and reporting periods, and underline the importance of up-to-date information on bunker quality.
Various industry publications reinforce the operational value of this statistical information. The CIMAC guideline “Design and operation of fuel cleaning systems for diesel engines” recognises the risks of machinery failure when fuels are not cleaned to the required standard before use in diesel engines. The publication highlights that fuel quality parameters are important for fine-tuning the onboard cleaning systems and storage arrangements.
The VPS 2025 circular on fuel treatment system monitoring explained that fuel meeting ISO 8217 at delivery may still cause engine damage if it is not properly managed and treated onboard. Its analysis connected catalytic fines (Al+Si) concentrations and purifier performance with potential wear affecting cylinder liners, piston rings and fuel injectors.
The VPS 2024 Marine Bunker Fuels Review identified VLSFO concerns involving sulphur, cold-flow properties, water and catalytic fines, together with MGO flash-point, cold-flow and FAME-related issues. The VPS 2025 Marine Fuel Review reported 37 bunker alerts during 2025. To date in 2026, VPS released 29 Bunker Alerts, all of which are available on Neptune or upon request from West’s Loss Prevention Department.
The renewed contract will allow West Members to continue using independent market intelligence to identify emerging risks, support informed procurement and fuel-management decisions, thus reducing the likelihood of operational disruption and machinery damage.
For detailed VPS statistics and customised reports, please contact LPQueries@westpandi.com.