Fuel oil is the lifeline of marine propulsion, but it also introduces significant fire, explosion, and pollution risks if not handled properly. To enhance vessel safety, international regulations — especially those under SOLAS, MARPOL, and classification society standards — set strict requirements for how fuel oil must be stored, transferred, purified, and used onboard.
This blog explains the key fuel oil safety measures that every ship must follow, whether it’s a cargo vessel, tanker, passenger ship, or offshore unit.
🚢 Why Fuel Oil Safety Matters
Fuel oil poses multiple hazards:
- Fire risk: Leaks onto hot surfaces can ignite instantly.
- Explosion risk: Poorly managed settling and service tanks can accumulate flammable vapours.
- Environmental pollution: Even small spills have severe ecological consequences.
- Engine damage: Contaminated or poorly treated fuel can cause engine failure during critical navigation.
With stricter enforcement by Port State Control (PSC), owners and crew must ensure full compliance.
🔥 Key Fuel Oil Safety Measures for All Ships
1. Proper Fuel Oil System Design
Ships must be designed so that fuel lines and components are:
- adequately shielded from hot surfaces
- double-walled or equipped with leak detection in high-risk areas
- fitted with remote shut-off valves
- routed away from ignition sources and accommodation areas
SOLAS II-2/4.2.2.5 requires insulation or protective casing to prevent spray fires.
2. Fuel Tanks Safety Requirements
All ships must ensure:
✔ Safe construction of storage, settling, and service tanks
✔ Proper venting arrangements with flame arresters
✔ Temperature monitoring and alarms
✔ Periodic visual inspection for corrosion and sludge buildup
Fuel tanks must not be located near high heat sources unless insulated.
3. Fire Prevention Around Engines
Fuel oil spray on engine surfaces is a major cause of engine-room fires. Key measures include:
- Thermal insulation of exhaust pipes and turbochargers
- Oil mist detectors (OMDs) on large engines
- Regular tightening of flange connections
- Keeping drip trays clean and dry
PSC inspectors often check these points first.
4. Safe Fuel Transfer Procedures
Bunkering and internal fuel transfer are high-risk operations. Ships must follow:
- Approved bunkering checklists
- Drip trays positioned under all connections
- Communication plan between ship and bunker supplier
- Overflow prevention through high-level alarms
- Pollution readiness equipment (SOPEP kit) standby
Crew must verify the quality and sulphur content of fuel under MARPOL Annex VI.
5. Fuel Purifiers & Filters Maintenance
Efficient purification is essential to:
- remove water
- remove catalytic fines
- reduce sludge formation
- protect fuel injection systems
This prevents injector seizure and engine failures.
Ships must maintain:
- duplex filters
- regular purifier bowl cleaning
- monitoring of sludge discharge
6. Handling Low-Flashpoint Fuels (LNG, Methanol, LPG)
Vessels using alternative fuels must comply with:
- IGF Code (natural gas or other low-flashpoint fuels)
- additional explosion protection
- gas detection systems
- double-wall piping
- specialized crew training
Fuel safety becomes even more critical with dual-fuel engines.
7. Emergency Shutdown Systems
All fuel supply systems must be capable of remote shutdown from:
- outside the machinery space
- fire control stations
Quick closing valves (QCVs) are essential for limiting fire spread.
Regular testing is mandatory.
8. Fire Detection and Suppression
Ships must be equipped with:
- fixed fire suppression (CO₂, water mist, foam)
- local application fire-fighting systems
- flame detectors near fuel burning equipment
- portable extinguishers in all fuel-handling areas
Proper crew training is vital for effective fire response.
9. Regular Inspection & PSC Preparedness
Routine checks must cover:
- leaks in fuel lines
- proper insulation of hot surfaces
- working condition of alarms
- fuel sounding procedures
- sludge levels in tanks
PSC officers often detain ships due to fuel oil safety deficiencies.
🛡 Benefits of Implementing Strong Fuel Oil Safety Controls
- Prevents engine room fires
- Reduces pollution risk
- Improves operational reliability
- Ensures compliance with international regulations
- Enhances crew and vessel safety
📝 Final Thoughts
Fuel oil safety is not just about complying with regulations — it directly impacts the safety of the ship, crew, cargo, and environment. Whether the vessel runs on conventional fuel or low-flashpoint fuels under the IGF Code, consistent monitoring, maintenance, and training create a safer operating environment at sea