Brazilian Petrobras informed that it will carry out tests starting in June, aiming to evaluate the production of 2020 sulphur cap compliant fuel. As the company said, it does not know the exact viscosity, but it expects it to be lower.
As Petrobras stated the fuel that will be meeting the 2020 sulphur cap specifications. However, it explained that it does not know the exact viscosity, which nevertheless is is expected to be lower. This is due to the fact that from June 1st, Petrobras will not be selling high sulphur 500cst viscosity bunker fuel from the Port of Santos.
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What is more, during April, Petrobras produced its first set of 0.5% sulphur fuel oil, from its Isaac Sabba refinery in Manaus. The fuel had 0.34% sulphur content, viscosity of 323cst at 50°C and density of 932.7 kg/m3 at 15°C.
Except from Petrobras, ahead of 2020 sulphur cap, oil majors have also announced the availability of compliant fuels.
Namely, BP will be introducing very low sulphur fuel oil, after conducting successful sea trials in the Amsterdam/Rotterdam/Antwerp and Singapore hubs.
ExxonMobil will also have compliant fuel available at the ports of Antwerp, Rotterdam, Genoa, Marseilles, Singapore, Laem Chabang and Hong Kong, with locations in North America to follow.
In addition, Shell informed that, in order to help operators prepare, it is offering trials for its very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) in key ports. Shell has also launched a new two-stroke engine cylinder oil specifically for use with engines running on VLSFO.
