Marine Fuel Oil – Types and Their Uses

Heavy fuel oil and other types of petroleum products are commonly used for ocean-bound large ships. These fuels have become popular since the 1960s, when new refining methods allowed for higher-value refined products. As of the present, over 60% of ocean-bound large vessels utilize heavy fuel oil for power, including cruise ships, bulk carriers, and oil tankers. If you consider this lubricant, visit our site to know the marine fuel oil price.

Heavy fuel oil

While Crude Oil is lighter in weight and easier to work within small engines, heavy marine fuel oil has many uses in the shipping industry. It is used as engine fuel in cruise ships, large oil tankers, and bulk carriers of industrial products. The difference is their viscosity, which is like thick peanut butter. These fuels may be used in the same engine, depending on the application. The following is a brief explanation of each.

Marine diesel oil

If you’re wondering what marine diesel oil is, “marine diesel” refers to the mixture of heavy fuel oil and lighter fuel. These blends are used in marine engines and cannot be pumped at lower temperatures than 20degC. They are usually pre-heated in the ship’s tanks before use. This fuel type is considered a heavy fuel oil, as its viscosity is much higher than standard diesel fuel.

Biofuels

The marine industry has acknowledged the greenhouse gas reduction benefits of biofuel oil. It also meets global sulfur cap compliance requirements. The technology has undergone extensive testing. ExxonMobil conducted a sea trial with leading shipping tanker operator Stena Bulk, and the results show that biofuel oil has no adverse impact on equipment when operated with higher levels of bio components. Increasing the share of biofuels in marine fuel oil may require regulatory changes, but the advantages of using this alternative are numerous.

Alternative fuels

Developing non-conventional fuels for marine engines has spurred interest in greener alternatives. However, such fuels must be examined throughout the entire fuel cycle, from extraction to delivery. This means that they may be environmental winners at the ship stack, but not so much in the downstream processes. Below are some of the major considerations to consider when evaluating marine fuels. They may not be environmentally friendly along the fuel cycle, but their development may still be advantageous for marine shipping.