ExxonMobil Discusses HDME 50, its New 0.10% Sulfur HFO-Like Bunker Fuel

Iain White, field marketing manager at ExxonMobil Marine Fuels & Lubricants

ExxonMobil Marine Fuels & Lubricants recently launched what it calls a new category of bunker fuel that 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.

Iain White, field marketing manager at ExxonMobil Marine Fuels & Lubricants, recently talked to Ship & Bunker about its new Heavy Distillate Marine ECA 50 (HDME 50) fuel.

"There are virtually no cat fines, it has a high viscosity, but is low in sulfur," said White.

"The exact viscosity varies slightly between 45 and 80 cSt."

Currently, the product is only coming out of its Antwerp refinery, and White said it is available now on a spot or contract basis for delivery by barge in the ARA region.

"Production in other refineries is currently being reviewed," he said, meaning that future availability in North America has not been ruled out for vessels operating in the ECA covering the U.S. and Canada.

White did not reveal the exact pricing of the new fuel, but said it is competitive with MGO, which most operators without an alternative method of ECA compliance will otherwise use to meet the requirement.

Meeting New Challenges

The use of MGO presents a new challenge to operators who currently switch between 3.5 percent maximum sulfur and 1.0 percent maximum sulfur fuel oil bunkers, both of which are heated and handled onboard in the same way.

MGO, on the other hand, is used at ambient temperature meaning operators run the risk of thermal shock to engine components during fuel switchovers.

"Some owners even need to use chillers for MGO, but as ExxonMobil Premium HDME 50 handles like HFO, you don't need to do that," said White.

"The risk of thermal shock is reduced, and at the same time the higher viscosity and greater lubricity of HDME 50 means it offers greater protection. It's also less volatile, which, of particular interest for the tankers, means it's a much safer product to use in a large boiler."

White explained that the origins of the product, which has been described as being more like a high viscosity distillate rather than an ultra low sulfur fuel oil, is from a stream of product that was already available at the Antwerp refinery.

"It was something that was there already, just not used as a finished product. We tweaked it to the exact specification and the result is ExxonMobil Premium HDME 50."

ExxonMobil Premium HDME 50 has been already been tested with Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) prior to its release to confirm its suitability for main and auxiliary engines and marine type boilers.

It has also received No Objection Letters from MAN Diesel & Turbo for use in the company's B&W two-stroke and B&W Holeby gensets.