The latest saga of Quadrise Fuels (QFI), a Danish one at that, has seen the suspension of the sea-trial of its proprietary MSAR marine fuel after the trial vessel of Maersk Line A/S was forced to make an unscheduled repair stop.
The vessel is still in search of a suitable dry dock. However, as a result of an operational redeployment after the dry dock stay, the vessel will no longer be able to bunker at the Algeciras refinery, which adjoins the MSAR manufacturing unit, thereby bringing the trial to a premature end.
Maersk is currently considering alternative test vessels, and has signalled its willingness to recommence the trials, but that's unlikely prior to the fourth quarter of 2017. In the meantime, Wartsila will carry out an inspection of the test vessel's engine during the next few months to confirm the fuel is safe and suitable for its RT-Flex engine type.
