Asia/Pacific News
KR: Ships Are Switching Fuels Too Early, Wasting More Expensive ECA Fuel
Classification society Korean Register (KR) Monday said vessels are often burning more Emission Control Area (ECA) compliant fuel than is necessary, so it has developed a new software program to optimise fuel switching times when entering and exiting ECAs.
"The current practice is generally to rely on the experience of the chief engineer which KR has found often results in the vessel burning more of the expensive low sulphur fuel than is necessary," it said.
KR says the new software, called Fuel Oil Change Over, or FOCO, gives much more accurate timings and therefore will save fuel and cost.
The software can also help with compliance, as it also provides accurate technical data that can be used to report to port state control if change over times are questioned.
"This software program comes at a time when the shipping community is working hard to comply with strict environmental controls and is part of a range of tools we are developing to help our customers and stakeholders," said KR.
The software is publicly available for download through KR's website: www.krs.co.kr
Since January 1, 2015, the sulfur content of marine fuel used within ECA waters cannot exceed 0.10 percent by weight.
