Characterization of Low Sulfur Fuel Oils (LSFO) – A new generation of marine fuel oils - OC2020 A-050

Abstract

This Multi-client project "Characterization of Low Sulfur Fuel Oils (LSFO) - A new generation of marine fuel oils" has been a 1-year project (2019-2020). The project has been funded by MPRI/DFO Canada, ITOPF and the Norwegian Coastal Administration. In order to meet new requirements for lower sulfur oxides (SOx) emissions to the air, new generation of low sulfur marine fuels are now replacing the traditional Intermediate bunker fuels and heavy fuel oils (like IFO 180 and IFO 380) with "Ultra Low Sulfur Oils" – ULSFO (S < 0.1 % m/m), for use in the Sulfur Emission Control Area (SECA) in Europe and North America from 2015, and a Global Sulfur Cap regulation was implemented from 2020 with "Very Low Sulfur Oils" (S < 0.5 %m/m). This project aims to provide responders better knowledge and preparedness for spills involving new generation of low sulfur residual marine fuel oil on the market today. The project included laboratory studies on these LSFO oils with focus on fate and behaviour, potential toxicity and with relevance to the effectiveness of different oil spill response options (use of dispersants and in-situ burning). Test methodologies was also subjected to an interlaboratory study and experiments were performed both in Norway (SINTEF) and in Canada (SL Ross) on one of the tested oils.