Bart⚓️
@bartgonnissen.bsky.social
Senior Maritime Pilot | Master Mariner - unlimited | Master's degree Nautical Science | Forensic Medicine | Glass blower |
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x/x And yes, this was a thread, just so I could use some cat GIFS
a cat is taking a bath and water is pouring on it
ALT: a cat is taking a bath and water is pouring on it
media.tenor.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
x/x And yes, this was a thread, just so I could use some cat GIFS
28/x And this is why the war in Ukraine is causing a rise in ship engine failures and higher repair and maintenance costs... all because of something called "cat fines"
a close up of a cat 's face with its mouth open and its tongue sticking out .
ALT: a close up of a cat 's face with its mouth open and its tongue sticking out .
media.tenor.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
28/x And this is why the war in Ukraine is causing a rise in ship engine failures and higher repair and maintenance costs... all because of something called "cat fines"
27/x This residue, by its very nature as a catalytic cracker byproduct, carries a high burden of residual, abrasive catalyst fines, establishing the direct causal mechanism between geopolitical disruption and the molecular degradation of marine fuel quality.
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
27/x This residue, by its very nature as a catalytic cracker byproduct, carries a high burden of residual, abrasive catalyst fines, establishing the direct causal mechanism between geopolitical disruption and the molecular degradation of marine fuel quality.
26/x When faced with scarcity of high-quality, low-sulfur blendstocks (like VGO), refiners were commercially compelled to incorporate this high-volume, low-cost CLO into the VLSFO stream to meet market demand for the 0.5% sulfur product.
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
26/x When faced with scarcity of high-quality, low-sulfur blendstocks (like VGO), refiners were commercially compelled to incorporate this high-volume, low-cost CLO into the VLSFO stream to meet market demand for the 0.5% sulfur product.
25/x often lighter and sweeter grades, such as those from the US, or higher-priced alternatives like Arab Light. Crucially, the refined product ban resulted in an acute shortage of VGO in Europe, a key low-sulfur blendstock used in VLSFO production.
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
25/x often lighter and sweeter grades, such as those from the US, or higher-priced alternatives like Arab Light. Crucially, the refined product ban resulted in an acute shortage of VGO in Europe, a key low-sulfur blendstock used in VLSFO production.
24/x the ban on Russian refined products in February 2023, created an immediate and profound shift in global trade dynamics. For European refineries, the loss of Russian crude forced them to replace volumes with different crudes,
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
24/x the ban on Russian refined products in February 2023, created an immediate and profound shift in global trade dynamics. For European refineries, the loss of Russian crude forced them to replace volumes with different crudes,
23/x blenders would inevitably search for replacement inputs that were cheaper and readily available, often sacrificing quality for volume. The punitive measures implemented by the European Union, specifically the crude import ban in December 2022, followed by
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
23/x blenders would inevitably search for replacement inputs that were cheaper and readily available, often sacrificing quality for volume. The punitive measures implemented by the European Union, specifically the crude import ban in December 2022, followed by
22/x represented a hidden fragility in the marine fuel supply chain. VGO is prized because it contributes positively to fuel stability and is naturally low in abrasive contaminants. The impending loss of this high-quality input stream meant that
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
22/x represented a hidden fragility in the marine fuel supply chain. VGO is prized because it contributes positively to fuel stability and is naturally low in abrasive contaminants. The impending loss of this high-quality input stream meant that
21/x the US and Europe as a supplementary refinery input, similar in quality to a heavy crude oil, to feed conversion units. The global dependency on these specific Russian residual streams, especially VGO, which is a low-sulfur component used extensively in blending VLSFO,
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
21/x the US and Europe as a supplementary refinery input, similar in quality to a heavy crude oil, to feed conversion units. The global dependency on these specific Russian residual streams, especially VGO, which is a low-sulfur component used extensively in blending VLSFO,
20/x The country supplied large volumes of High-Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO),often referred to as Mazut, and critical inputs like Vacuum Gas Oil (VGO). Mazut-100, a heavy, high-sulfur residue, was frequently imported by refineries in
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
20/x The country supplied large volumes of High-Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO),often referred to as Mazut, and critical inputs like Vacuum Gas Oil (VGO). Mazut-100, a heavy, high-sulfur residue, was frequently imported by refineries in
19/x But what has the war in Ukraine got to do with it? Prior to 2022, Russia held a crucial position in the global petroleum market, particularly as an exporter of heavy residual products and key intermediate blendstocks.
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
19/x But what has the war in Ukraine got to do with it? Prior to 2022, Russia held a crucial position in the global petroleum market, particularly as an exporter of heavy residual products and key intermediate blendstocks.
18/x at the point of consumption, recommending that cat fine levels at the engine inlet do not exceed 10 to 15ppm. On the East coast US bunker fuels have had peaks of 176ppm, Singapore 156ppm and ARA region/Algeciras between 60 and 90ppm.
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
18/x at the point of consumption, recommending that cat fine levels at the engine inlet do not exceed 10 to 15ppm. On the East coast US bunker fuels have had peaks of 176ppm, Singapore 156ppm and ARA region/Algeciras between 60 and 90ppm.
17/x Mainly Singapore, East Coast US, ARA region (Antwerp-Rotterdam-Amsterdam) and Algeciras. The standard specifies a maximum Al+Si content of 60 ppm. However, engine manufacturers enforce a significantly stricter standard
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
17/x Mainly Singapore, East Coast US, ARA region (Antwerp-Rotterdam-Amsterdam) and Algeciras. The standard specifies a maximum Al+Si content of 60 ppm. However, engine manufacturers enforce a significantly stricter standard
16/x Repairing such damage is extremely expensive, with reports of claims ranging from $300,000 to $1.5 million per case. Now in the last years we've noticed that cat fine levels are rising, especially in certain bunker ports or areas...
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
16/x Repairing such damage is extremely expensive, with reports of claims ranging from $300,000 to $1.5 million per case. Now in the last years we've noticed that cat fine levels are rising, especially in certain bunker ports or areas...
15/x So what is the result of implementing higher emission standards and introducing VLSFO in shipping? Well, a study from the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) reveals that 80% of ship engine failures are linked to cat fines in marine fuel oil.
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
15/x So what is the result of implementing higher emission standards and introducing VLSFO in shipping? Well, a study from the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) reveals that 80% of ship engine failures are linked to cat fines in marine fuel oil.
14/x But VLSFO have a high viscosity and the cat fines are less able to sink to the bottom of a settling tank. 2. Fuel oil separators also have a problem with this higher viscosity and are less efficient in getting them out.
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
14/x But VLSFO have a high viscosity and the cat fines are less able to sink to the bottom of a settling tank. 2. Fuel oil separators also have a problem with this higher viscosity and are less efficient in getting them out.
13/x 1. the on board settling tanks. Heavier contaminants, including cat fines, settle out of the fuel oil due to gravity. These tanks are designed to provide sufficient settling time for the fuel. This allows denser particles to accumulate at the bottom for periodic removal.
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
13/x 1. the on board settling tanks. Heavier contaminants, including cat fines, settle out of the fuel oil due to gravity. These tanks are designed to provide sufficient settling time for the fuel. This allows denser particles to accumulate at the bottom for periodic removal.
12/x even fuels meeting this standard can still risk engine damage if cat fines are not effectively removed by onboard fuel treatment systems. But here we have another problem.
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
12/x even fuels meeting this standard can still risk engine damage if cat fines are not effectively removed by onboard fuel treatment systems. But here we have another problem.
11/x Now because ships have to use VLSFO and the VLSFO needs various blends of oils, the content of cat fines in VLSFO is higher than in "normal" fuel oils. There are standards (ISO 8217 fuel standards) on the max allowed cat fines in bunker oil, yet,
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
11/x Now because ships have to use VLSFO and the VLSFO needs various blends of oils, the content of cat fines in VLSFO is higher than in "normal" fuel oils. There are standards (ISO 8217 fuel standards) on the max allowed cat fines in bunker oil, yet,
10/x Most critically, cat fines are abrasive and extremely hard, measuring up to 8.2 on the Mohs scale. This is hard enough to scratch or become embedded into steel surfaces, especially those between the moving parts of marine engines.
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
10/x Most critically, cat fines are abrasive and extremely hard, measuring up to 8.2 on the Mohs scale. This is hard enough to scratch or become embedded into steel surfaces, especially those between the moving parts of marine engines.
9/x Catalytic cracking uses synthetic crystalline zeolites, porous mineral compounds of aluminium and silicon, to break up the stubborn oil molecules. Inevitably, some of the catalysts make their way into residual oil products.
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
9/x Catalytic cracking uses synthetic crystalline zeolites, porous mineral compounds of aluminium and silicon, to break up the stubborn oil molecules. Inevitably, some of the catalysts make their way into residual oil products.
8/x Modern refineries use atmospheric and vacuum distillation first, which extracts the most volatile, higher value products from the top of the distillation column. Afterwards, they rely on thermal and catalytic processes to divide the remaining crude into additional fractions.
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
8/x Modern refineries use atmospheric and vacuum distillation first, which extracts the most volatile, higher value products from the top of the distillation column. Afterwards, they rely on thermal and catalytic processes to divide the remaining crude into additional fractions.
7/x with intermediate streams such as Light Cycle Oil (LCO) and Clarified Oil (CLO). BUT.... This is where we meet the "CAT FINES" or in full: "catalytic fine", a type of microscopic particle left in residual oils after refining.
a close up of a cat with its tongue out .
ALT: a close up of a cat with its tongue out .
media.tenor.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
7/x with intermediate streams such as Light Cycle Oil (LCO) and Clarified Oil (CLO). BUT.... This is where we meet the "CAT FINES" or in full: "catalytic fine", a type of microscopic particle left in residual oils after refining.
6/x Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) to achieve compliance with the sulphur cap. VLSFO, introduced globally to comply with IMO 2020 regulations, is typically manufactured by blending low-sulfur residual components (derived from sweet crudes or desulfurized sour crudes)
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
6/x Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) to achieve compliance with the sulphur cap. VLSFO, introduced globally to comply with IMO 2020 regulations, is typically manufactured by blending low-sulfur residual components (derived from sweet crudes or desulfurized sour crudes)
5/x Ships will use MGO/MDO to enter special areas where there are strict rules with regards to emissions. The sulphur content (SOx) is the big thing to watch. That's why the vast majority of the global fleet adopted
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
5/x Ships will use MGO/MDO to enter special areas where there are strict rules with regards to emissions. The sulphur content (SOx) is the big thing to watch. That's why the vast majority of the global fleet adopted