EMEA News
Carriers: ExxonMobil HDME 50 is a Game Changer
Several major North European carriers have said that the introduction of ExxonMobil's Heavy Distillate Marine ECA 50 (HDME 50) fuel is a "game changer" that could drastically change the market, Shippingwatch reports.
"It's a big thing that Exxon has put on the market. We're talking to everyone about the potential of HDME, but Exxon seems to be the only producing and selling it so far. We're very interested in this," said one source from a major North European carrier.
"Our plan till now has involved smaller tests with scrubbers and LNG. Our strategy going forward was definitely to sail on heavy fuel oil and then switching to MGO in the ECA zones. This new type of bunker changes the whole scenario."
Launched in July earlier this year and described as a new category of bunker fuel, ExxonMobil says HDME 50 handles onboard like HFO but is compliant with the 0.10 percent sulfur cap that takes effect in Emissions Control Areas (ECAs) at the start of next year.
HDME 50 is currently only available from ExxonMobil's Antwerp refinery for delivery by barge throughout the ARA region, but this limited availability has lead to reservations from some carriers.
"This could be interesting, but price and availability will be decisive in terms of whether Norden will use this fuel type," said Nicolai Bro Jöhncke, Head of Corporate Communications, Dampskibsselskabet Norden A/S (Norden).
Christian Søgaard from Denmark-based A/S Dampskibsselskabet TORM (Torm) commented: "We need to be completely clear on the technical specifications, and we also need to sort out the availability before we start on this."
Earlier this month, following tests performed by Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) the fuel testing agency determined HDME 50 was "likely to be a good fuel" and it now remains to be seen if the new fuel continues to perform in real world use.
