Low Sulphur Fuel Oil

Are you ready to meet the new Low Sulphur Emissions Legislation?

The introduction of the first two Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECAs) was the first step in the implementation of increasingly stringent legislation in recent years, targeted at reducing emissions from the shipping industry.

Commencing 1st July 2010, the next phase of the IMO (MARPOL Annex VI) legislation for the North European Emission Control Area (ECA) will take effect and limit the maximum sulphur content in fuel oil to 1.00% for vessels operating within the ECA zone.

With the more stringent legislation, vessel operators like yourself will face ongoing challenges in protecting the cost efficiency and smooth running of operations. These include:

• Ensuring that ships are supplied with the requisite fuel grades and all appropriate documentation to comply with legal requirements.

• Ensuring that the quality of the fuels (both low and high sulphur) is not compromised by changes in fuel blend formulation. This is not fully understood by all suppliers, and can impact fuel properties that are not covered by the ISO8217 : 2005 specification, such as ignition and combustion.

• Managing the potential consequences onboard vessels operating with low sulphur grades, such as lubrication concerns or fuel compatibility issues when switching from one fuel grade to another.

• Managing increased exposure to the volatile price differential between high and low sulphur grades.

Shell Marine Products (SMP) is a leading supplier of Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (LSFO) and can help you to avoid these potential threats to your business.

We have:
• More than 20 years of experience supplying LSFO to the Marine market.

• An ongoing fuel R&D programme, which has led to the development of the Shell Compatibility Test for onboard confirmation of compatibility/stability.

• A comprehensive Fuel Oil Quality Assurance System (FOQAS) designed to ensure that our fuel consistently meets the ISO8217 specification.

• Our Ship Quality Assurance Standard reinforces the quality of our barges and the training of their crews, such that all custody transfer procedures, including those required by MARPOL Annex VI, are safely and efficiently carried out.

• Reliable LSFO supply network (ARA region & Hamburg) with product availability of 380cSt and 500cSt meeting the 1.00% specification.

• A range of pricing options to suit your needs and manage your exposure to the low-sulphur premium.

• A full range of 2-stroke and 4-stroke engine lubricants (Alexia LS and Argina) for use with LSFO, complemented where required by our expert lubrication advice.


For more information, please use the following regional hotlines:

• UK +44 20 7934 4637
• Nordics +47 2266 5437
• Singapore +65 6384 8249 or +65 6384 8969
• Hong Kong +852 2506 7111
• Taiwan +886 2 2720 8088 J
• Japan + 81 3 5531 5753
• USA +1 713 230 3693