EMEA News
Lukoil Launches "New Grade" of 0.10% Sulfur Marine Fuel
Lukoil says it has launched a "new grade" of marine fuel, becoming the latest bunker supplier to unveil plans for a marine fuel specifically to meet the upcoming 2015 sulfur regulations for Emissions Control Areas (ECAs).
The product, "fuel marine environmental" (TSE), was described as occupying an intermediate position between fuel oil and distillate products, having characteristics which are common to both, and as such there was no current quality specification or definition for the product.
The typical characteristics of TSE were said to be most similar to that of DMA, but with a higher viscosity and improved lubricity.
The provided fuel sample analysis showed TSE to have a viscosity between 15.3 and 65 cSt at 50°C, and a sulfur content between 0.074 and 0.095 percent.
Lukoil's announcement follows ExxonMobil Marine Fuels & Lubricants' July launch of its ExxonMobil Premium Heavy Distillate Marine ECA 50 (HDME 50), a product it also described as being in a new category of bunker fuel, that is compliant with the upcoming 0.10 percent ECA sulfur cap and has a viscosity between 45 and 80 cSt.
A number of other oil companies are also working on similar 0.10 percent sulfur products, including Gazpromneft Marine Bunker.
"Currently, the company is developing a new fuel based on distillates with a sulphur content that is permitted in ECA areas, but which is cheaper than diesel. This type of alternative is a question of competitiveness," CEO Andrei Vasiliev said in July.
CEPSA, meanwhile, has launched a distillate marine fuel with a sulfur content not exceeding 0.10 percent.
Currently, all vessels operating within the world's ECAs must use a marine fuel that has a sulfur content not exceeding 1.00 percent by weight. On January 1, 2015 that limit drops to 0.10 percent.
