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Energy consulting firm Purvin & Gertz has announced the completion of the Residual Fuel Market Outlook: Impact of Bunker Quality Changes on Marine Fuels & Refining. This comprehensive study includes an analysis of the issues, balances and economics of bunker fuel, stationary fuel oil and residual refinery feedstocks.

Emissions limits agreed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and rapidly being adopted by nations will change marine bunker fuel qualities and indeed the type of fuel consumed. This timely report provides insight into the complex inter-industry compliance issue. The possible adoption of onboard ship scrubbing is analyzed in the study through two compliance scenarios, each providing a complete balance and pricing analysis.

Study manager Kurt Barrow says, "The study will be a valuable resource to refining, bunkering and shipping companies as they plan their business and consider the costs for meeting new ship emissions requirements."

For each compliance scenario, the study includes:

-- Balances for 13 world regions and estimates of stationary fuel quality

-- Detailed bunker, diesel and fuel oil balances

-- Bunker supply economics for new ECA and global bunker fuel qualities

-- Price forecasts for current and future quality residual and distillate marine fuels

-- Refinery capacity and projects

-- Carbon emissions from refinery and ship compliance options

-- Influence on crude differentials and refining margins