Innospec Warns of Increasing Risk of MGO In Colder Temperatures

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Friday October 9, 2015

U.S.-based Innospec Fuel Specialties is warning that the increasing use of marine gas oil (MGO) has led to greater risks of MGO solidifying as it is exposed to a wider variety of weather conditions, the company said in an emailed statement. 

The company said that in response, its new additive, Octamar Winter, was formulated to reduce the pour point fuel by an average of 15 degrees Celsius and cold filter plugging point by an average of 10 degrees Celsius. 

"As demand for MGO rises, fuel quality is changing, and fuels with poor cold temperature properties are now alarmingly commonplace in the market," the company said. 

"In recent cases, MGO fuels have been known to solidify at temperatures exceeding +20 degrees Celsius, posing a significant risk to the safety of vessel and crew, with propulsion loss and even failure of emergency equipment."

The additive is reportedly used to treat MGO storage tanks, and may reduce or even eliminate heating requirements.

Innospec says that the additive is also approved by Lloyd's Register, and was developed specifically for DMA and DMZ grade marine gasoils.

Last year, Ship & Bunker reported that stricter Emission control Areas (ECAs) in 2015 were expected to boost sales of additives as more operators turned to MGO for fuel. 

Ship & Bunker News Team
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