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Date: 6th October 2008

ISO 8217 - An Eye on Future Developments

Staying in touch with developments regarding Fuel Quality is vital. It is therefore important to be aware that the standard that regulates fuel quality, ISO 8217, is set to be discussed at the forth coming meeting of the MEPC.

The International Organisation for Standards (ISO) who publish the "ISO 8217 - Specification for Marine Fuels", have submitted recommendations on future developments of the standard to the IMO Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting which is scheduled for 6-10 October 2008 in London.

Previously there had been calls for IMO to adopt Fuel Quality Parameters as part of MARPOL Annex VI. However MEPC 57 (April 2008) agreed that fuel quality should continue to be regulated by ISO but requested that the update to ISO 8217 be in line with the needs of Annex VI and deal with air emissions in addition to quality, ship safety & crew health.

The recommendations will go before MEPC 58 and we understand that a new version (version four) will have more emphasis placed on the environment and have further rationalization to the fuel grading.

More interestingly, there are new test parameters under consideration. These tests include Acid Number, Ignition & Combustion, Nitrogen, Sodium and Hydrogen Sulphide adding more protection for the fuel purchaser and user.

ISO 8217 has been in use in the bunker market since its adoption in 1987. There have been only two further revisions in the 20 years since, revision 2 was published in 1996 and revision 3 published in 2005.

ISO appear keen to move a little faster and not be left behind by a changing market. Therefore the future revision will need to move in line with Annex VI and the scheduled reduction to Sulphur limits globally and in Emission control area (ECA's).

We advise Owners to update their charter party agreements to always stipulate the latest version to the standard as reference to old versions / grades would complicate any claims. In fact the most suitable reference is to state, "ISO 8217, latest version to be applied".

It is still unknown when revision four will be published but we will let you know when more is known.

 

For more information or advice please contact:

Telephone: +44 (0)1642 440991
Telefax: +44 (0)1642 458537
Email: info@gmtlab.com

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