A North-East firm providing fuel testing for shipping operators is to expand its international operations to America and in the Far East.

Lintec Testing Services Ltd based in Darlington, has previously carried out fuel testing for ships at its laboratories in the North-East, Shanghai and Rotterdam.

The firm is to start carrying out testing in the US and Singapore, as well as extending the range of services it offers, after a tie-up with its parent company Intertek.

Intertek, which carries out testing and analysis for a wide range of industries, from car manufacturers to chemical firms, across the globe, bought the Darlington firm in 2005.

Lintec specialises in analysing bunker fuel, the stores of fuel bought by shipping line operators.

With fuel expenses reaching 60per cent of total ship operating costs, before it is used firms often want it analysed in order to confirm it is fit for purpose and won't cause engine damage or violate environmental regulations.

As part of the expansion an Intertek facility at Houston in Texas has been extended to allow Lintec to carry out testing there.

Lintec has also been given access to facilities owned by Intertek in Singapore.

Lintec said that working more closely with the global Intertek network will allow the Darlington facility to offer ship operators a broader range of services, including the analysis of lubricants, surveying and cargo additive treatments.

In addition Darlington will become the central contact hub for the new fuel testing operations, with all inquires routed through the centre on Valley Street North.

Geoff Jones, global fuels director of Lintec, said: "We are now co-ordinating all these services which have previously been offered on an ad-hoc basis around the world from the office in Darlington."

Although no new jobs will be created immediately Mr Jones expected new roles to be created as the office expanded its services.

He said: "It is a service centre and we will eventually have more staff."

Lintec has been centred in Darlington since 2000 and testing fuels for global shipping companies since 1993.

Intertek employs 100 staff across its three sites in the region, which also include chemical testing laboratories in Seal Sands and at Wilton, Redcar.