Alfa Laval : Fuel handling in ECAs from next year
Alfa Laval has issued a paper regarding fuel handling in ECAs after 1st January 2015. The first part deals with overall issues suchas equipment preparation and fuel storage, while the second part deals with the specific challenges of common LS fuels and emerging alternatives. The game-changing legislation taking effect 1st January 2015 will reduce the allowed sulphur content for fuel burned in marine engines from 1.00% to 0.10% in Emission Control Areas (ECAs). Understandably, many ship owners and operators have questions about the huge impact this will have on their vessel’s fuel handling. Vessels can comply with the legislation either by installing a scrubber and continuing with HFO, or by using low-sulphur (LS) fuel when operating in ECAs. For those that choose the latter, it will have a major effect on the vessel’s fuel handling. Among other things, it will necessitate both the conversion of fuel tanks and the addition of fuel cooling equipment to secure the viscosity of the engine’s fuel supply. In Alfa Laval's paper, it is explored the operational implications of the ECA fuel change. The first part deals with overall issues such as equipment preparation and fuel storage, while the second part deals with the specific challenges ...
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