Shell: GTL Bunkers Will Become an Increasingly Important Part of the Fuel Mix

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Tuesday April 26, 2016

Royal Dutch Shell plc (Shell's) says its Gas-To-Liquid (GTL) Fuel will play an an "increasingly important role in the fuel mix" as a clean drop-in replacement for traditional bunkers, as well as elsewhere in heavy duty transport sectors.

The comments came alongside news that the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) on April 15 ratified the EN15940 standard for paraffinic diesel fuels, which includes products such as Shell's GTL Fuel.

"This is a significant milestone for our Shell GTL Fuel business. EN15940 will now become the fuel standard that is referred to when manufacturers and legislators stipulate conditions specifically concerning use of paraffinic fuels," said Michael Flynn, general manager for GTL Products at Shell.

Paraffinic fuels - liquid fuels that can be synthetically manufactured from natural gas, biomass, coal, or vegetable oil - can provide cleaner combustion than traditional bunkers as they are "virtually free" from sulfur and nitrogen.

Some 40 years in the making, the alternative fuel itself is not new, and as Ship & Bunker reported back in 2013, Shell GTL bunkers have previously been used in emissions reduction trials.

Earlier this year, GoodFuels Marine, a manufacturer of a drop in bio-marine fuels for the shipping industry, said the "drop-in" nature of alternative bunkers was "absolutely critical as it ensures that current logistical and operational systems can remain in place."

Ship & Bunker News Team
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