The classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) published its latest Quality Report on Fuel from the Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) on Thursday, February 12, that covers the period from July to December 2025, revealing a significant increase in the frequency and severity of incidents related to off-specification marine fuel in several of the world’s most active bunkering centers such as Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Although the Canary data is slightly higher than that of northern European ports, it remains at completely safe levels. To provide context, the critical limit established by the ISO 8217 standard is usually set at 2.5 mg KOH/g; therefore, the fuel supplied in the Canary Islands is far from posing a corrosion risk to engines.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife are preparing for a drastic shift in their docks. The latest fuel quality report from Lloyd’s Register (FOBAS) confirms that the maritime sector in the Atlantic is on the verge of an unprecedented operational transformation, marked by the enforcement of the Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA) in the Mediterranean starting in May 2025 and the tightening of European Union regulations.
The fuel quality report from Lloyd’s Register places Las Palmas in a prominent position within the Top 20 worldwide by sample volume, recording an average acidity index of 0.090 mg KOH/g during the second half of 2024. This value, while higher than hubs in northern Europe like Antwerp (0.020) or Rotterdam (0.040), remains significantly below critical safety limits, reflecting a chemical stability that minimizes corrosion risks in engines. Compared to other bunkering giants, the figure from Las Palmas slightly surpasses that of Singapore (0.060) but remains close to Zhoushan (0.070), consolidating the Canarian docks as a reliable supply point under technical control in light of the new demands of international maritime regulations.
The accumulation 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 specifications, the magnitude and severity of incidents at the end of the year leave little margin for error and reinforce the need for conservative fuel management, rigorous testing regimes, and proactive onboard management.
For the two major Canarian ports, this translates into direct pressure on bunkering operators. Data indicates an unstoppable rise in the use of biofuels to meet IMO requirements. However, the report warns of a latent technical risk: 12.77% of the residual fuels analyzed in the second half of 2024 showed deficiencies, particularly in critical parameters such as density, viscosity, and increasingly, stability of blends with biological components.
At the Port of Las Palmas, a leader in fuel supply in the Central Atlantic, monitoring water and sediment levels will be vital to avoid damage to engines of international fleets. Meanwhile, Santa Cruz de Tenerife faces the challenge of adapting its infrastructure to a demand that no longer seeks only quantity but absolute traceability of quality to avoid environmental penalties in European waters.
The message for shipowners operating in the Canary Islands is clear: the margin for error is shrinking. With the introduction of new sulphur limits and the rise of sustainable fuels, the Canarian ports are moving from being mere service stations to becoming precision laboratories where product quality will determine the islands’ competitiveness as a global logistics node.
Distillate fuels have also continued to show vulnerabilities. Repeated failures in the flash point were recorded in ports such as Civitavecchia, Lisbon, Palermo, and Lianyungang, with several samples reaching temperatures between 47 °C and 55 °C, well below the minimum established by the SOLAS Convention of 60 °C. The report links some of these cases to land-grade diesel entering the marine supply chain, reinforcing the need for strict verification of suppliers and routine flash point testing in laboratories, particularly outside the major bunkering hubs.
The FOBAS Fuel Quality Report (2nd half of 2025) is based on LR’s prior analysis of the first half. It provides updated data, new case studies, and deeper insights into the evolution of regional trends in response to tightening environmental regulations and changes in fuel formulations, including the full application of the Mediterranean Sulphur Emission Control Area.
With the expansion of the EU Emission Trading System and the introduction of FuelEU Maritime requirements, it is expected that operators will face a more complex fuel landscape. As new raw materials, biofuel blends, and alternative fuels enter the market, LR observes an increasing need for robust onboard fuel management and the systematic application of best sampling and analysis practices.
