Shell Global Marine conducts trials for new 0.50% sulphur marine fuel oil

Shell’s global marine fuels network has initiated testing for its new 0.50% very low sulphur marine fuel oil (VLSFO) in preparation for the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 0.50% global sulphur limit for marine fuels in 2020.

Shell has successfully completed initial trials for the blend, and tests are now available in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Singapore and New Orleans, La., U.S.A., to ship owners and charterers currently purchasing fuel with Shell who are seeking to use VLSFO to meet the new specification change.

“We’re giving customers an opportunity to test the new fuel to become more familiar with how the fuel performs in their vessels,” said Melissa Williams, Shell’s global sales and marketing manager for marine fuels. “We will work with end users during the trials to assist them in handling VLSFO.”

The fuel is available for testing in all vessel types and engines.  Trials may be expanded to other key ports in 2019.