Could some VLSFO fuels be banned?


Source: Gibson
According to Gibson, “black carbon is material produced and emitted as a solid particulate matter from the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels. HFO typically contains approximately 60% aromatics, which contain a higher proportion of carbon than other hydrocarbon types and they have a tendency to smoke when burnt. The recent media interest in the performance of the new VLSFO fuels has pointed out that these fuels are responsible for increased levels of black carbon pollution due to their higher aromatic content. However, whilst it is possible that certain VLSFOs may have elevated aromatic content, it is expected that for VLSFO fuels produced by blending, these will have lower aromatic content than a typical HFO due to the major blended component (distillate) having typically half the aromatic content. Therefore, it is difficult to reason that all VLSFOs, especially those produced from various blends, produce more black carbon due to their aromatic content”.
“However, there is also the added complication that emissions of black carbon are also related to the engine type and its operating load. Slow speed two-stroke engines, used in larger oceangoing vessels are considered to have lower black carbon emission factors than higher speed four stroke engines. For larger engines, increasing engine load reduces black carbon emissions, whereas for smaller engines the reverse is true. Vessels that have scrubbers installed provide an approximate 30% reduction in black carbon emissions. A study conducted by Finland and Germany and submitted to the IMO found the new VLSFO used by ships contained high levels of aromatic compounds, causing a surge in black carbon emissions. The group have submitted a new proposal to the sub-committee on pollution and prevention response that will meet in late-February in London. They are demanding a prohibition of VLSFO blends that lead to increases in black carbon emissions. They want the IMO to encourage relevant stakeholders to observe a voluntary prohibition on the use of any marine fuel whose aromatic content is likely to lead to black carbon emissions greater than those commonly associated with distillate fuels until a ban comes into effect. The move to lower emission fuels is considered a positive direction within the shipping sector. However, there still seems to be much to be learned with how these fuels are produced and their potential impact on the environment”, Gibson concluded.
Nikos Roussanoglou, Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide