Bunker Fuel

FOBAS issues industry update of new ISO 8217:2024 marine fuel specifications

FOBAS points out there are a number of significant changes to ISO 8217 as compared to 6th (2017) edition both in terms of extent and content.

Published

4 months ago

May 17, 2024

Admin

Lloyd’s Register Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) on Thursday (16 May) released a bulletin to highlight significant changes to the ISO 8217:2024 as compared to the 6th (2017) edition.

This bulletin is to bring all clients' attention to the imminent publication of the new version of ISO 8217 and we will be updating again as soon as ISO secretariate uploads the final version of ISO 8217:2024 on its website.

The increasing demand of environmental legislation is leading a marine fuel transition towards oil products derived from synthetic and renewable, recycled or alternative sources. There are a number of significant changes as compared to the 6th (2017) edition both in terms of extent and content.

The most noticeable change is to the residual grades in that these will now be divided into three separate tables
- 4 RM grades not exceeding 0.50% or 0.10% sulphur,
- 5 RF (biofuel) grades covering unrestricted % FAME content
- 5 RM grades above 0.50% sulphur.
Similarly for the distillates each of the grades, apart from DMX, has a corresponding FAME blend version of unrestricted %
In the case of the FAME blends, residual or distillate, the percentage of FAME component is to be advised to the receiver at delivery
The FAME used is generally to have met either the EN 14214 or ASTM D6751
The net specific energy is to be reported by the supplier
Suppliers to ensure all fuel grades are free of organic chlorides
Each of the category tables now includes specific reference to the normative paragraphs of the standard
The principal change to the residual grades is that these all now also include a minimum, in addition to the existing maximum, viscosity
To enhance control of asphaltene stability in the case of sulphur limited RM grades and the RF grades, this is now limited in terms of total sediment by thermal ageing to the same limit as before but additionally the accelerated and existent values are also to be reported by the supplier

It is also worth noting that generally the limit values, for both the distillates and residuals, have not fundamentally altered although for residuals there has been a redistribution across the reduced number of grades.

Lloyd’s Register FOBAS has been heavily involved in guiding and contributing as a member of the ISO and CIMAC fuels working groups and for our position we would highly recommend adopting this new standard in all fuel purchasing/sourcing processes whenever possible. We will have a number of additional testing options available which we will further explain on request.

As mentioned, a far more detailed bulletin will be issued shortly supported by a list of FAQ to further support your operations.

Photo credit: Hans Reniers on Unsplash
Published: 17 May 2024

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LNG Bunkering

BV VeriFuel participates in first LNG bunkering operation in Shanghai

VeriFuel, Bureau Veritas’ Marine Fuel Services programme designed to facilitate future developments of the marine fuel industry, successfully participated in its first LNG bunkering operation in Shanghai.

Published

16 hours ago

September 10, 2024

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BV VeriFuel participates in first LNG bunkering operation in Shanghai

VeriFuel, Bureau Veritas' Marine Fuel Services programme designed to facilitate the future developments of the marine fuel industry, last week celebrated a milestone in LNG bunkering in Shanghai.

VeriFuel successfully participated in its first LNG bunkering operation about two weeks ago in Shanghai.

“This marks a significant step forward as we expand our service offerings to meet the growing demand for sustainable fuel solutions,” it said in a social media post.

“With more deliveries already on the way, our new service line is ready to support your LNG bunkering needs. We look forward to partnering with you on this exciting journey towards a more sustainable future.”

According to Bureau Veritas, VeriFuel provides the latest technology in order to monitor global marine fuel activities.

In 50 countries, VeriFuel provides the inspection services that are performed by in-house bunker surveyors based on uniform procedures and reporting.

Photo credit: VeriFuel
Published: 10 September, 2024

Methanol

Methanex to acquire OCI Global international methanol business

Transaction includes OCI’s interest in two methanol facilities in Beaumont, Texas, a low-carbon methanol production and marketing business and a currently idled methanol facility in Netherlands.

Published

17 hours ago

September 10, 2024

Admin

Methanex to acquire OCI Global international methanol business

Methanex Corporation (Methanex) on Sunday (8 September) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire OCI Global’s (OCI) international methanol business for USD 2.05 billion.

The transaction includes OCI’s interest in two world-scale methanol facilities in Beaumont, Texas, one of which also produces ammonia. The transaction also includes a low-carbon methanol production and marketing business and a currently idled methanol facility in the Netherlands.

“This is a unique opportunity to create value by acquiring two highly attractive North American methanol assets that will further strengthen our global production base and we expect it will be immediately accretive to free cash flow per share,” said Rich Sumner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Methanex.

“The Beaumont plants benefit from access to North America’s abundant and favourably-priced supply of natural gas feedstock, and are expected to increase our global methanol production by over 20 percent.”

“We believe the transaction will provide significant long-term value to Methanex shareholders while aligning with our strategic objectives of industry leadership, operational excellence, and financial resiliency,” said Mr. Sumner.

“From an operating perspective, we have a shared culture of safety and operational excellence, and we expect the OCI team will help us build new skills in ammonia while enhancing our capabilities in the evolving business of low carbon methanol production and marketing.”

Nassef Sawiris, Executive Chairman of OCI, added, “We are pleased with the opportunity to achieve a significant ownership position and are highly confident in Methanex’s ability to create enduring value for shareholders. As the global leader committed to safety and operational excellence, we identified Methanex as the natural owner of OCI Methanol at the outset of our strategic process, which we initiated in the spring of 2023.”

As part of the transaction, Methanex will acquire the following:

A methanol facility in Beaumont, Texas with an annual production capacity of 910,000 tonnes of methanol and 340,000 tonnes of ammonia. This plant was restarted in 2011 and since that time the plant has been upgraded with USD 800 million of capital for full site refurbishment and debottlenecking.
A 50 percent interest in a second methanol facility also in Beaumont, Texas, operated by the joint venture Natgasoline LLC (Natgasoline). The Natgasoline plant was commissioned in 2018 and has an annual capacity of 1.7 million tonnes of methanol, of which Methanex’s share will be 850,000 tonnes.
OCI HyFuels, which produces low-carbon methanol and sells industry-leading volumes with trading and distribution capabilities for renewable natural gas (RNG). With nine years of experience in the low-carbon methanol business and with an array of blue-chip customers, this will enhance Methanex’s existing Low Carbon Solutions function with additional expertise in this developing segment.
A methanol facility in Delfzijl, Netherlands with an annual capacity to produce 1 million tonnes of methanol. This facility is not currently in production due to unfavourable pricing for natural gas feedstock.

Closing of the transaction is expected in the first half of 2025. The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies and is subject to receipt of certain regulatory approvals and other closing conditions including TSX approval for the issuance of Methanex shares to OCI.

The transaction is also subject to approval by a simple majority of the shareholders of OCI. The largest shareholder of OCI, has signed an agreement to vote for the transaction.

Photo credit: OCI Global
Published: 10 September, 2024

Alternative Fuels

Corvus Energy gas-safe marine fuel cell system receives type approval by DNV

Firm said the system is the first Fuel Cell System designed to be inherently gas-safe, making it the safest fuel cell system in the market.

Published

17 hours ago

September 10, 2024

Admin

Corvus Energy gas-safe marine fuel cell system receives type approval by DNV

Corvus Energy, supplier of energy storage systems (ESS) for maritime applications, on Wednesday (4 September) announced that the Corvus Pelican Fuel Cell System has received Type Approval from classification society DNV.

The system, which was developed through the three-year-long H2NOR project, is the first Fuel Cell System (FCS) designed to be inherently gas-safe, making it the safest fuel cell system in the market.

Corvus Energy said receiving type approval from DNV confirmed that the Corvus Pelican Fuel Cell System meets the most stringent performance and safety standards required by the maritime industry.

Olaf Drews, Head of Engines & Pressurized Equipment Maritime, said: “It is a special fuel cell system, because the Pelican uses nitrogen for inerting of the fuel cell space.”

“It is the first fuel cell system that uses this technology and this brings it to a very preferred safety level. This is a milestone, and we look forward to the first ship project.”

Despite technology improvements and advancements in battery electric vessels, most vessels cannot achieve zero-emission operations for extended periods of time using batteries alone. For vessels on longer routes and vessels that are unable to charge often enough, we need to add clean fuel and fuel cells to enable extended zero-emission capabilities.

CEO of Corvus Energy, Fredrik Witte, said: “Toyota’s unsurpassed knowledge in developing high-quality and efficient fuel cells, in addition to the strong collaboration and high level of maritime experience among the partners in this development project, has been key.”

“This is a milestone for net zero shipping. We now have a high-quality range extender to add to our existing ESS portfolio with the scalability and the safety needed to be a real driver in the future of marine decarbonization.”

The first Corvus Pelican Fuel Cell System is produced and ready to be installed onboard MS Skulebas, a 35-meter fishing and training vessel owned by Vestland County and operated by Måløy Upper Secondary School in Norway.

The vessel already has a 1 MWh battery system onboard. By adding the Corvus Pelican Fuel Cell System and hydrogen storage, the vessel will be able to operate for four days on zero emission.

Photo credit: Corvus Energy
Published: 10 September, 2024