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Date: 21st September 2009

ISO 8217 4th Revision Draft - An Eye on Future Developments continued...

The Standard that regulates fuel quality, ISO 8217 - Specification of marine fuels is set to be updated and a new revision (4th Edition) possibly released mid 2010.

The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) who publishes the Standard have recently released the first draft which is available in the 'public comment' stage for balloting.

The draft, ISO/DIS8217, is subject to change and may not be referred to as an international standard until the ongoing process is completed. The balloting procedure is designed to ensure that the final result is accepted by not less than a two-thirds majority of the member’s votes and that no more than one-quarter of the total number of votes cast are negative. The ISO ballot process is an important part of a democratic system of standards development.

What’s New?

New additions in the draft are;

  • Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S), aimed to add protection to onboard staff whilst storing and handling of fuels.
  • Strong Acid Number and Acid number, to identify any acidic compounds which lead to accelerated damage to marine engines.
  • CCAI (Calculated Carbon Aromaticity Index) is calculated from the density & viscosity and provides an estimate of the ignition delay of the fuel.
  • Sodium Content, added to the existing list of metallic component sodium gives a good indication of sea water contamination as well as potential damage from vanadium/sodium corrosion.

Specifically for marine distillates;

  • Stability (Oxidation), to identify oxidation which leads to instability of the fuel during storage.
  • Lubricity for ULS distillates, to test ultra low sulphur distillates (defined as those with sulphur content of less than 0.05%) to ensure against adverse effect on engines due to lack of natural lubricating compounds stripped during the desulphurization process.

What’s Changed?

  • Sulphur Content, limit values are no longer included in the draft ISO 8217 standard at all. Instead, it is up to the bunker purchaser to specify the maximum sulphur content of fuels to the supplier in line with the regulatory requirements for the use of that fuel.
  • Aluminium & Silicon Content (Cat Fines); the maximum limits for these elements have been reduced to offer better protection against wear damage. The Al+Si limits for residual fuel grades proposed in the new standard are 40 mg/kg for RMA to RME grades and 60 mg/kg in the higher viscosity grades RMG to RMK grades.
  • Total Sediment Accelerated (TSA) is the reference test for sediment determination in the new draft. This would replace the current reference test, Total Sediment Potential (TSP).
  • The Specification Tables; there have been category rationalisations of both distillate and residual marine fuel grading(s):
    - RMA 10 is added and replaces the old distillate grade, DMC.
    - RMG & RMK are expanded to include additional viscosity grades.
    - RMF & RMH categories are removed.
  • Clause 5 - 'General requirements' (clause 5.1 in the current standard) contains substantial amendments.

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

We would always advise Owners to update their charter party agreements to always stipulate the latest version to the standard, the most suitable reference is to state, "ISO 8217, latest version to be applied".

WE WILL KEEP YOU ADVISED OF UPDATES AS THEY ARE CONFIRMED!!

 

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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