Marine Fuel Problems
Fuel Problems
Modern Fuels. Modern Challenges.
Fuel quality has changed significantly over the years. Lower sulphur requirements, increased biofuel content, longer storage periods, and complex global supply chains have created new challenges for vessel operators. Even fuel that meets international specifications can cause fuel problems before it reaches the engine.
From contamination and water ingress to poor combustion and reduced lubricity, fuel-related issues can lead to increased maintenance costs, reduced reliability, and unnecessary downtime.
V25 is designed to address these problems before, during, and after combustion.
Most Common Fuel Problems
Micro-organisms can develop where water and fuel meet inside storage tanks. Over time, they produce biomass and acidic by-products that can block filters, corrode tanks, and damage fuel systems.
Fuel naturally degrades during storage, forming sludge, gums and deposits. These contaminants can accumulate in tanks, pipework and filters, restricting fuel flow and reducing engine performance.
Contamination can enter fuel through bunkering, storage, condensation, dirt ingress or water contamination. Even small amounts can impact combustion efficiency and increase maintenance requirements.
Many vessels, generators and seasonal equipment spend extended periods unused. During storage, fuel can oxidise, absorb moisture, lose stability and form deposits, resulting in poor starting, rough running and increased emissions when brought back into service.
Water Contamination
Water is one of the most common causes of fuel-related problems.
It can enter fuel tanks through condensation, contaminated bunkers, damaged seals, or tank breathing. Once present, water accelerates fuel degradation and creates ideal conditions for microbial growth.
- Fuel filter blockages
- Corrosion of tanks and fuel systems
- Increased maintenance requirements
- Reduced combustion efficiency
- Growth of bacteria and diesel bug
Aderco V25 improves fuel conditioning and assists onboard fuel management systems by helping contaminants separate more effectively, reducing the impact of water contamination throughout the fuel system.
Fuel Oxidation & Ageing
Fuel begins to degrade from the moment it is produced. This process accelerates when fuel is stored for extended periods.
As fuel ages, oxidation can create gums, varnish, sludge, and deposits that affect fuel quality and engine performance.
- Injector fouling
- Increased smoke emissions
- Poor engine performance
- Fuel filter plugging
- Hard starting after storage
Aderco V25 homogenises the fuel, helping maintain fuel stability and reducing the formation of deposits that can impact engine performance.
Loss of Lubricity
Ultra-low sulphur fuels have helped reduce emissions but have also removed many of the natural compounds that previously provided lubrication.
Modern fuel injection systems operate at extremely high pressures and rely on adequate fuel lubricity to prevent wear.
- Increased injector wear
- Premature fuel pump failure
- Reduced component lifespan
- Higher maintenance costs
The lubricity improver within Aderco V25 helps restore the protective qualities that modern fuels often lack, reducing wear and protecting critical fuel system components.
Incomplete Combustion
Poor fuel atomisation, contamination, deposits, and unstable fuel can all contribute to incomplete combustion.
When fuel does not burn efficiently, valuable energy is wasted and harmful emissions increase.
- Higher fuel consumption
- Increased black smoke
- Carbon deposits
- Reduced engine efficiency
- Increased particulate emissions
Aderco V25 improves fuel conditioning and combustion characteristics, helping engines extract more energy from every litre of fuel while reducing deposits and emissions.
Fuel System Deposits
Over time, fuel systems naturally accumulate deposits within tanks, pipework, injectors, pumps, and combustion chambers.
These deposits restrict fuel flow and reduce overall engine performance.
- Injector fouling
- Reduced power output
- Increased fuel consumption
- Unplanned maintenance
- Poor engine response
Aderco V25 helps clean and protect fuel system components, reducing deposit formation and supporting long-term system reliability.
The Cost of Fuel Problems
Fuel-related issues rarely appear as a single failure. Instead, they create a chain reaction that affects efficiency, reliability, and operating costs.
For vessel operators, fuel quality is not just a fuel issue — it's an operational issue.
- Increased fuel consumption
- More frequent filter changes
- Higher maintenance costs
- Reduced equipment life
- Increased emissions
- Unexpected downtime
Calculate Your v25 Dosage
Quickly calculate the correct V25 dosage for your fuel volume. Get instant treatment recommendations and our suggested double-dose option for unknown fuel quality.
One Solution From Tank to Funnel
V25 is a next-generation fuel treatment that works throughout the entire fuel journey.
Conditions fuel before combustion
Improves combustion efficiency
Restores fuel lubricity
Cleans and protects fuel systems
Helps reduce emissions and deposits
Suitable for distillate and residual fuels
- Improves fuel combustion efficiency
- Restores fuel lubricity lost through low-sulphur fuel refining
- Reduces fuel consumption
- Minimises smoke opacity and particulate emissions
- Protects fuel injection equipment from wear
- Helps prevent corrosion and carbon build-up
- Keeps fuel tanks, pipework and filters cleaner
- Controls bacterial contamination and fuel degradation
- Reduces maintenance requirements and downtime
- Compatible with diesel, gasoil, gasoline, kerosene and residual fuels
- Non-hazardous, ashless and metal-free
No dosing pumps. No specialist equipment. No complicated installation.
Simply add Aderco V25 directly into the fuel tank before bunkering.
Recommended Dosage
- Standard Treatment: 1 litre treats 10,000 litres of fuel
- First-Time Treatment: 2 litres treats 10,000 litres of fuel
The higher initial dosage conditions the fuel system and maximises performance throughout the tank, fuel lines and engine components.
Once conditioned, continued use at the standard dosage rate maintains optimum performance.
Aderco V25 is formulated using naturally derived plant extracts and contains no metals, ash or harmful chemicals.
Environmental Advantages
- 100% plant extract derived
- 100% ashless
- 100% metal-free
- Non-hazardous for storage and transport
- No change to fuel specification
- No chemical reaction with fuel
- Supports lower emissions and cleaner combustion
This makes Aderco V25 an environmentally responsible choice for vessel operators seeking improved efficiency and sustainability.
Aderco V25 is suitable for virtually any fuel-powered marine engine application, including:
- Superyachts
- Commercial vessels
- Fishing vessels
- Workboats and offshore support vessels
- Passenger ferries
- Inland waterways and canal craft
- Standby generators
- Fuel storage systems
Compatible with all diesel and gasoline powered engines.
With over 40 billion tonnes of fuel treated annually worldwide, Aderco technology has a proven track record of delivering measurable improvements in:
- Fuel efficiency
- Engine cleanliness
- Emissions reduction
- Component protection
- Operational reliability
Aderco V25 delivers performance, economy and environmental benefits in one easy-to-use solution.
How Aderco Technology Works
Learn how Aderco’s fuel conditioning technology helps combat fuel instability, water contamination and microbial growth while improving engine performance, reliability and emissions compliance.
Real Results: Up to 4.8% Fuel Savings
This case study features Aderco 2055G, Aderco’s fuel treatment for large-scale operations. Discover how improved fuel conditioning can deliver measurable fuel savings, lower emissions and reduced operating costs.
Ready to Improve Fuel Performance?
Whether you’re operating a superyacht, fishing boat or standby generator, V25 helps keep fuel systems clean, engines protected and operating costs under control.