World News
Wilhelmsen Ships Service Warns on Potential of Engine Damage from ECA Fuels
Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) is warning that improper management and treatment of low-sulfur distillate fuels in Emission Control Areas (ECA) may cause significant harm to engines, The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) reports.
The company said that distillates could potentially cause blockages in fuel lines, damage fuel pumps and injectors, and even lead to a loss of engine power.
In addition, the effects of the stabilisers used during the refining process wear off after six months.
Refineries treat the fuel with stabilisers in order to rid it of naturally occurring antioxidants, which can cause fuel to deteriorate.
"If you are aware of the fuel's basic properties and limitations and are prepared to treat your distillates in order to manage and maximise their performance, they pose few challenges, but some customers are choosing to fall back on additional fuel treatments," said Jonas Östlund, product marketing manager at WSS.
While refineries typically stick with stabilisers, the problem can also be tackled in other ways using additives and treatments, he added.
The new ECA regulations that come into force on January 1, 2015 limit the sulfur content of marine fuel to 0.10 percent by weight.
Last year, a number of companies launched ECA-compliant distillate fuels, including TOTAL Marine Fuels and CEPSA.
Key Bunker Prices More
| VLSFO | MGO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $/mt | +/- | $/mt | +/- | |
| Singapore | 647.50 | 1.00 | 770.00 | 3.50 |
| Rotterdam | 601.50 | 2.50 | 754.00 | 2.00 |
| Houston | 619.00 | 11.50 | 795.50 | 3.00 |
| Fujairah | 651.50 | 1.00 | 895.00 | 2.00 |
| Global 20 Ports Average | 664.00 | 1.50 | 856.50 | 2.00 |
| Global 4 Ports Average | 630.00 | 3.00 | 803.50 | 2.50 |
| Global Average Bunker Price | 718.00 | 0.50 | 914.50 | 0.50 |
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