Tag: fuel switching

London-based Greek shipowners have urged the IMO to bring together oil companies, marine equipment makers and classification societies to guarantee fuels created to comply with 2020 environmental rules do not damage engines and cause accidents. 

When entering ECAs and other designated areas, ship crews should conduct a fully changeover procedure to a compliant fuel oil with reduced emissions of Sulfur Oxides (SOx), preventing air pollution caused by maritime activity.  So what is the best practice for a safe Fuel Oil Changeover?

As the sulphur cap implementation is imminent in less than 18 months, operators need to worry about many issues as well, other than fuel selection only.  In fact, IMO's decision to implement a 0.50 per cent cap on sulphur emissions has created uncertainty amongst vessel operators, notes Mr. John LaRese, Marine Fuels Technical Advisor, ExxonMobil who discusses the needs for lubricants and fuel switching.

With the IMO regulations coming in 2020 about the sulphur cap, US refiners are preparing for the shift in the ship fuel supply. That change will increase demand for low sulphur fuels, and US refiners are ready to capture about 3m bbl/day global marine fuel market. Namely, across many US refiner’s earnings, distillate yields will be increased.

Under their environmental partnership, German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd and logistics company DB Schenker launched a project to address sulfur oxide emissions especially in Asian and Latin American ports.

Fuel changeover when operating in and out of sulphur emission control areas (SECAs) is a complex and time-sensitive process, explains Mr Ole Skatka Jensen, CEO at Auramarine.

Canadian BC Ferries informed that Salish Eagle, will officially commence service on June 21, on the Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands route. The ship is the second of three new Salish Class vessels that are dual-fuel and capable of operating on either natural gas or ultra-low sulphur marine diesel.

Panama Canal Authority issued a Marine Advisory, reminding that vessels must complete the switch (changeover) from heavy fuel oil to light fuel to their propulsion engines, auxiliary engines, boilers and other ancillary equipment, prior to arriving at Panama Canal waters, and also informing on the modifications of the requirement.

Hamburg Süd announced that cooperated with its Swedish customer Electrolux to launch a joint pilot project, in order to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions in the Port of Iquique in Chile. Thanks to switching to lower sulfur content of MGO, around 95 percent of sulfur dioxide emissions will be saved for the Electrolux cargo, in this port of call.

Chinese authorities have unilaterally decided to introduce ECAs in three coastal regions; the Pearl River Delta, the Yangtze River Delta and Bohai-rim waters. 11 key ports were identified within these three ECAs where the low sulphur requirement would take effect from 1 January 2017.