ExxonMobil has launched a new marine fuel to meet the latest regs.
The product - HDME 50 - is designed to comply with the the 0.1% sulphur cap to be introduced in "Emmission Control Areas" (ECA) on 1st January 2015. The company claims the fuel is similar to marine gas oils (MGO) which have lower sulphur content, but also has the higher flashpoint and lower volatility characteristics associated with Heavy Fuel Oils (HFOs).
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics has tested the new fuel and found it to be suitable for use in main and auxiliary engines and marine boilers. Other successful field trials have resulted in ‘No Objection Letters’ from MAN Diesel & Turbo (MDT) for certain engine types provided MDT’s specific type guidelines are followed.
According to the company, HDME 50 has similar properties to HFOs, which usually have to be heated because of their higher viscosity in order to reduce the risk of thermal shock to engine components during fuel switchovers - a phenomenon which can result in fuel pump seizures and engine shut down.
Wilhelmsen themselves recently commented on the increasing challenges new fuels pose to lubricant and additive producers.