Fuel Oil
Bunker & Marine Fuel
VLSFO, HSFO and marine gasoil supplied to ISO 8217 — with the sulphur compliance question settled before the barge comes alongside.
Marine fuel is the largest single cost in operating a merchant vessel, and since IMO 2020 it is also the most heavily regulated. The global sulphur cap of 0.50% and the 0.10% limit inside emission control areas mean the grade on the bunker delivery note is a compliance document as much as a commercial one.
Addam Energy supplies bunkers against ISO 8217, with certified sulphur content, independent quantity survey and full documentation at every delivery.
Grades supplied
- VLSFO — very low sulphur fuel oil at 0.50% S maximum, the global compliance grade
- ULSFO — ultra low sulphur fuel oil at 0.10% S maximum for ECA transits
- HSFO — high sulphur fuel oil at 3.50% S, for vessels fitted with exhaust scrubbers
- MGO DMA — marine gas oil, distillate grade for auxiliaries and ECA operation
- MDO DMB — marine diesel oil, blended distillate grade
The regulatory position
MARPOL Annex VI sets 0.50% sulphur globally and 0.10% within emission control areas covering the Baltic, the North Sea, North American waters and the US Caribbean. Vessels either burn compliant fuel or install an exhaust gas cleaning system and continue on HSFO.
A bunker delivery note and a sealed MARPOL sample must be retained on board and made available to port state control. We supply both as standard with every stem.
Quality risks worth managing
- Compatibility — blending incompatible VLSFO stems can precipitate sludge and block filters
- Catalytic fines — aluminium and silicon carried over from refinery catalyst cause rapid liner wear
- Stability — total sediment potential must stay within ISO limits through storage
- Cold flow — VLSFO pour points vary widely and can gel in unheated lines
- Quantity — measured by independent survey, not by barge figure alone
How a stem is delivered
Nomination is placed against the vessel schedule, the barge is confirmed, and an independent surveyor attends to verify quantity by tank measurement and to draw and seal four-way MARPOL samples. Delivery is documented on the bunker delivery note with grade, quantity, density, sulphur content and the barge details. Laboratory analysis follows and is issued to the owner or charterer.
Typical specification
| Specification | ISO 8217, latest edition |
|---|---|
| Sulphur — VLSFO | 0.50% m/m maximum |
| Sulphur — ULSFO | 0.10% m/m maximum |
| Viscosity @ 50 °C, RMG 380 | 380 cSt maximum |
| Density @ 15 °C | 991.0 kg/m³ maximum |
| Flash point | 60 °C minimum |
| Total sediment, aged | 0.10% m/m maximum |
| Al + Si (cat fines) | 60 mg/kg maximum |
Values are indicative and given for guidance. Contract specification is agreed in writing and certified per batch on the certificate of analysis issued with each shipment.
