Image credit: ExxonMobil

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ExxonMobil has confirmed that all its IMO 2020-compliant, 0.5 percent sulphur fuels developed to date are residual grades and that the formulations are all compatible with each other - provided that bunkering, storage and handling best practice guidance is followed.

The specifications range from RMD 80 to RMG 380, with a density of between 900 and 970 at 15 degrees Celsius, ExxonMobil said.

In terms of catalytic fine (cat fine) content, the bunker supplier noted that the levels will meet those set out in the latest ISO 8217:2017 standard.

In ISO 8217:2017, the maximum permissible level of cat fines, measured as aluminium + silicon (al+si), is 60 mg/kg for RMG 180 and RMG 380, whilst for RMD 80 and RME 180 it is 40 and 50 mg/kg, respectively.

Commenting on the specification of its new fuels for 2020, ExxonMobil said: "The combination of these characteristics will help ensure that vessel operators can continue to operate their main engines, auxiliary engines and boilers safely and efficiently when they switch over to low sulphur fuels."

Luca Volta, Marine Fuels Venture Manager, ExxonMobil, remarked: "These fuel formulations have passed stringent testing protocols, helping to ensure the highest level of quality during challenging times. With so many new grades being developed ahead of the sulphur cap implementation, compatibility is rightly a concern for the industry. However, operators can be assured that ExxonMobil's new compliant fuels will be fully compatible with each other as long as crews follow our best practice guidance for bunkering, handling and storage."

Supply locations

ExxonMobil has also named the supply locations where its low-sulphur fuel range will be available.

Back in April, the oil major had said that 0.5 percent sulphur fuels would be sold in Northwest Europe, the Mediterranean and Singapore. And this week, it confirmed that the delivery locations would specifically be Antwerp, Rotterdam, Genoa and Marseilles in Europe, along with Singapore, Laem Chabang in Thailand and Hong Kong.

All the ports are due to begin offering 0.5 percent sulphur grades prior to the IMO's January 1, 2020 deadline.

Additional locations - including North America - and products will be announced during 2018, ExxonMobil said.

"It is crucial that operators have access to not just compliant fuels, but quality compliant fuels prior to the IMO deadline. We are continuing to work on new streams that will provide availability to additional ports and markets," Volta noted.

"Our range of IMO 2020 compatible fuels is designed to offer peace of mind and continuity of operation to vessel operators around the world," she added.

New lubricants range

ExxonMobil also declared this week that it will be providing a complementary range of cylinder and engine oils - reconfirming the statement made earlier this year when the company said it was developing a new range of marine lubricants specifically designed for 0.5 percent sulphur fuels.

Further details are due to be revealed during the company's 'Journey to 2020' symposiums series. The first symposium is on October 26 at the Equinox Complex in Singapore; it will be followed by events in Hong Kong, Taipei, Athens, Tokyo, Imabari, Copenhagen and Hamburg.