ExxonMobil confirmed that all its IMO compliant, 0.50% sulphur fuels currently developed are residual grades. It has also confirmed that the formulations are all compatible with each other, provided that bunkering, storage and handling best practice guidance is followed. In addition, the company announced the locations where its low sulphur fuel range will be available.
According to ExxonMobil its compliant fuel will be available at the Ports in Antwerp, Rotterdam, Genoa and Marseilles in Europe, along with Singapore, Laem Chabang in Thailand and Hong Kong. These fuels will all offer 0.50% sulphur grades before IMO’s 1 January 2020 deadline. The fuels have all undergone tests.
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The specifications of the fuels will range from RMD 80 to RMG 380, with a density of between 900 and 970 at 15 degrees Celsius. Catalytic fine content will meet the level set out in ISO 8217:2017.
The combination of the above characteristics aim to make sure that vessel operators can continue to operate their main engines, auxiliary engines and boilers efficiently when they switch over to low sulphur fuels.
Additional locations, including North America, and products will be announced during 2018.
Luca Volta, Marine Fuels Venture Manager, ExxonMobil, noted:
It is crucial that operators have access to not just compliant fuels, but quality compliant fuels prior to the IMO deadline. We are continuing to work on new streams that will provide availability to additional ports and markets.
