DNV Petroleum Services (DNVPS) announced yesterday that it will increase its Research and Development (R&D) activities by setting up a dedicated laboratory to focus on R&D and specialised tests. This is part of the company’s continued drive for innovative, quality, value-added services for its customers. Scheduled to be up and running in May 2013, the new R&D laboratory will be located next to DNVPS' existing laboratory at its headquarters in Singapore.
By setting up the strategic R&D laboratory in Singapore, DNVPS has demonstrated its strong and continued commitment to growth in Singapore and the region - which continue to advance as the world’s fastest developing economies despite the economic downturn. Besides investing resources and sophisticated equipment in the R&D laboratory, DNVPS will be leveraging its fuel quality testing experience, huge database, ISO 17025-accredited fuel laboratories located around the world and global network of customer offices to develop more laboratory specialists and be even more customer-centric in its service offerings.
Mr Eirik Andreassen, Managing Director of DNVPS commented, “We want to provide more value to our customers. Our new R&D laboratory will undertake specific and in-depth analysis of fuel quality, troubleshooting, development of new test methods and services.”
As the market leader in bunker fuel quality testing, DNVPS plans to delve deeper into fuel related issues onboard ships, increase the number of joint industry projects that it runs with its partners and customers, and share its knowledge and innovations with the maritime industry.
Operational challenges are exacerbated by the blending of unconventional components by bunker fuel suppliers to meet stringent sulphur regulatory requirements within the Emission Control Areas. “We may have to conduct extensive tests and dig deep into the chemical composition of the fuels before we can determine the underlying cause of different problems - for instance, fuel pump sticking, filter clogging or poor combustion,” added Mr Andreassen.
Source: DNVPS