Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) has strengthened its global marine fuel testing network by opening a new state-of-the-art laboratory in Shanghai, expanding local testing capabilities in one of the world’s fastest-growing bunkering hubs. The facility will provide rapid testing for conventional bunker fuels and emerging alternatives, including methanol, helping shipowners, operators and fuel suppliers improve fuel quality management, reduce operational risks and support compliance as the shipping industry advances its energy transition.
Shanghai | June 30, 2026 – Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS), a global leader in fuel quality testing, inspection, advisory and decarbonisation solutions, for the marine and power industries, has expanded its global marine fuel testing network with the opening of a new state-of-the-art laboratory in Shanghai, strengthening its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing bunkering hubs as demand rises for fuel quality testing of both conventional and alternative marine fuels.
The new facility, located in Shanghai‘s Lingang New Area, will provide comprehensive marine fuel testing, inspection and technical advisory services, enabling shipowners, operators, charterers and bunker suppliers to receive faster fuel analysis and technical support while helping them manage fuel quality risks, safeguard vessel operations and comply with evolving international regulations.
The investment marks another strategic expansion for VPS as the marine industry accelerates its transition toward low- and zero-carbon fuels while continuing to rely on rigorous fuel quality assurance across increasingly diverse fuel types.
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Shanghai’s Growing Importance in Global Bunkering
VPS said the decision to establish a laboratory in Shanghai reflects the city’s growing importance within the global maritime industry.
Shanghai has become one of the world’s fastest-expanding marine bunkering centres and is expected to play an increasingly significant role in supplying both traditional petroleum-based bunker fuels and next-generation marine fuels, including methanol and other low-carbon alternatives.
China also occupies a central position in global shipping as the world’s largest shipbuilder, the leading producer of shipping containers and the operator of the world’s largest commercial fleet, making the country a strategically important market for marine fuel quality services.
Faster Fuel Testing for Shipowners and Suppliers
According to VPS, the Shanghai laboratory will significantly reduce testing turnaround times by providing local analytical capabilities rather than relying on overseas laboratory processing.
The facility will deliver independent testing and technical expertise covering a broad range of marine fuels, enabling customers to make quicker operational decisions while minimizing the risks associated with fuel contamination, specification disputes and engine performance issues.
The laboratory will support a broad customer base, including:
- Shipowners
- Ship operators
- Charterers
- Marine fuel suppliers
- Bunker traders
In addition to laboratory analysis, VPS will provide advisory services designed to help customers maintain fuel quality, improve operational reliability and meet increasingly complex environmental compliance requirements.
Methanol Testing Included
One of the key capabilities of the new laboratory is marine fuel testing for methanol, which is rapidly emerging as one of the shipping industry’s preferred alternative fuels as vessel owners seek pathways toward lower greenhouse gas emissions.
VPS Chief Executive Officer Dr. Malcolm Cooper said the Shanghai laboratory will provide fuel quality testing for bunker fuels, including methanol, noting that China’s dominant position across the global maritime sector makes Shanghai an ideal location for the company’s latest investment. He added that VPS remains the world’s leading fuel testing company and that expanding laboratory capacity in China aligns with both customer demand and developments within international shipping.
Supporting Shipping’s Energy Transition
Beyond conventional bunker fuels, the Shanghai laboratory will also provide testing and advisory services tailored to the shipping industry’s increasing use of low- and zero-carbon fuels.
As alternative marine fuels become more widely adopted, shipowners face new technical challenges relating to fuel quality, performance characteristics, compatibility and regulatory compliance. VPS said the new facility will help customers navigate these evolving requirements through advanced analytical capabilities and technical expertise.
Strategic Expansion Across Asia
The Shanghai investment comes amid continued growth in marine fuel volumes handled at Chinese ports and increasing customer demand for rapid testing and technical advisory services.
According to VPS, the new laboratory further strengthens its international laboratory network, which already includes facilities in:
- Rotterdam
- Singapore
- Fujairah
- Houston
- Manchester
These laboratories are supported by global technical specialists, commercial teams and customer service professionals serving the international shipping and energy sectors.
Lingang Location Positions VPS for Future Growth
Andrew Morton, Managing Director for Asia, the Middle East and Africa (AMEA) at VPS, said locating the laboratory in Shanghai’s Lingang New Area places the company within one of China’s fastest-growing maritime and industrial development zones. He said the investment demonstrates VPS’ confidence in China’s maritime sector while bringing technical services closer to customers operating throughout the country and across the wider Asia-Pacific region.
Morton added that VPS expects Asia to remain at the forefront of shipping’s energy transition, making regional investment increasingly important for supporting customers as fuel technologies continue to evolve.
Platform for Future Expansion
The Shanghai laboratory will serve both domestic Chinese customers and international shipping companies operating throughout the Asia-Pacific region. VPS said the facility also provides a platform for expanding its service portfolio within China’s maritime sector as demand grows for independent fuel quality testing, decarbonisation advisory services and technical support linked to alternative marine fuels.
The company believes continued investment in laboratory infrastructure will become increasingly important as shipping transitions toward a more complex fuel landscape requiring higher levels of testing, monitoring and technical expertise.
Strengthening a Global Marine Fuel Testing Network
With more than four decades of experience in marine fuel testing, VPS has established itself as one of the industry’s leading providers of fuel quality testing, inspection and decarbonisation advisory services.
The addition of the Shanghai laboratory expands VPS’ global laboratory network to six state-of-the-art testing facilities, reinforcing its ability to deliver faster analytical services and technical support to customers operating across the world’s major bunkering centres.
As the shipping industry adopts a broader range of marine fuels while navigating increasingly stringent environmental regulations, investments in regional laboratory capacity are expected to play a growing role in ensuring fuel quality, operational reliability and regulatory compliance across global bunker supply chains.
About VPS
VPS is a world-leading maritime decarbonisation advisory and fuel testing company, dedicated to innovation and sustainability. The company pioneered the marine fuel testing industry and has more than 40 years of experience. Today, VPS continues to build on its deep technical expertise by developing new technologies and testing methods, further strengthening its position as an industry leader.
As the global service provider of choice for testing, inspection and advisory services to the maritime industry, VPS operates six state-of-the-art laboratories, supported by an extensive network of commercial teams and technical advisers worldwide. Its commitment to excellence, innovation and customer satisfaction has established VPS as the market leader in marine fuel quality testing and related technical services.
Source: VPS