EMEA News
BIMCO Warns of Wax Buildup in LSMGO in Colder Temperatures
BIMCO has issued a new warning for members to be careful of paraffin wax forming in low sulfur marine gas oil (LSMGO) in seasonally low temperatures.
The group said that it had been brought to their attention that, while adhering to ISO 8217, some DMA 0.1 percent sulfur fuel has a cloud point of 32 degrees Celsius, a metric that is not within the ISO 8217 specifications.
As paraffin wax typically begins to form at this temperature, BIMCO advised companies to be wary of thickened oil clogging fuel filters and injectors in engines.
“Members should consider this when stemming LSMGO in North Europe and are advised to obtain knowledge of the cloud point as well as pour point prior to the bunkering operation,” it said.
“It may further be considered necessary to stem DMX grade if trading in the Baltic or elsewhere where the sea temperature would so dictate.”
As cloud point is part of the DMX specification, operators would be able to ensure that they are buying the correct fuel, noted BIMCO.
Since the beginning of the year, companies that do not employ an equivalent method of compliance have switched to using more expensive LSMGO in order to adhere to tougher Emission Control Area (ECA) regulations that came into effect on January 1, 2015.
However, it was reported earlier this week that due to weak crude and therefore cheaper bunkers, the cost impact of the new ECA rules have so far been “virtually zero.”
