Experts: IFO380 Will Be Replaced by 500 cSt as the World's Dominant Bunker Fuel

Dennis Eley, Marine Fuel Quality Manager, World Fuel Services says any operators that are burning IFO 380 will likely be able to burn 500 cSt bunkers.

Oil and bunker industry expert Dr Rudy Kassinger has predicted that the upcoming 0.50 percent global sulfur cap on marine fuel will be a key driving force behind IFO380 being replaced by 500 cSt product as the world's most popular grade of residual bunker fuel.

"Where do I think IFO is going? I think IFO is going the route of very high viscosity, high density, and sulfur levels probably grater than 2.5 percent," Kassinger told delegates at the recent Connecticut Maritime Association (CMA) Shipping 2015 event.

"Now the only way that can happen is with a scrubber, and in the future if you're going to burn IFO I think you're going to burn high sulfur and you're going to have to scrub it."

Kassinger noted that sales of 500 cSt bunkers have been growing steadily in recent years, and in Singapore, the world's biggest bunker market, it is the second most popular grade of fuel.

"Right now the last numbers form Singapore were just about 20 percent of their 42 million tonnes of fuel delivered was 500 cSt fuel. What's the secret? It's cheaper. Simple," said Kassinger.

"I would think about every operator that can handle 500 would do it."

Ian Workman, VP, International Sales - World Fuel Services, and President of the CMA said: "I remember when a lot of the fleet were burning 180 cSt and we converted a lot of fleets to 380 cSt. This seems to be the next logical progression here."

Higher Viscosity Product

However Dennis Eley, Marine Fuel Quality Manager, World Fuel Services noted that a key difference in any transition from 380 cSt to 500 cSt is that most vessels can likely already burn the higher viscosity product.

"If you're wanting to burn a 500 centistoke fuel oil and you're burning 380, then the likelihood is sky high that you're going to be able to do that," he said.

Eley explained that when using a 380 cSt fuel it needs to be heated to about 135 to 145 degrees centigrade, which takes the viscosity to around 15 cSt.

"If you're using a 500 cSt fuel oil ... the temperature would run to about 150 degrees centigrade. So it's just a question of heating that fuel a little bit more," he said.

"The line heater on most ships has a 20 percent margin on it anyhow."

Eley added that some operators are already looking at even higher viscosity products.

"We've got some customers out in the Far East who can run on 700 centistokes, and I do believe if you talk to MAN B&W they're looking at fuel oils up to 900 centistokes." he said.

Speaking at the same event, Kassinger also said there was no sense in waiting to implement the 0.50 percent global sulfur cap as there were many options available for compliance, although all are likely to be costly.