BP will sell new low-sulfur marine fuel

   BP  said it will begin to sell low-sulfur fuel that ships are required to use under International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations that go into effect Jan. 1, 2020.
   BP Marine said the very-low-sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO), with a maximum 0.5 percent sulfur content, will be manufactured and supplied by BP in its Amsterdam/Rotterdam/Antwerp (ARA) and Singapore hubs. BP said it will retail the new fuel globally.
   BP said it also will sell high-sulfur fuel oil for vessels that are equipped with scrubbers as well as marine gas oil.
   “We have undertaken a comprehensive test campaign, conducting shipboard trials of our new very-low-sulfur fuel,” said Eddie Gauci, global head of BP Marine. “Following the success of these sea trials and working closely with our customers, we believe we now have a robust commercial offer that will support customers in complying with MARPOL.”
   The IMO’s International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) reduces the allowable sulfur content in marine fuel from 3.5 percent to 0.5 percent globally starting next year, unless a ship has a scrubber to clean engine exhaust. A requirement to use even cleaner fuel with a maximum sulfur content of 0.1 percent in so-called sulfur emission control areas, including coastal areas along most of the U.S., remains in place.
   BP said its refineries have made a number of configuration changes to support the segregation, handling and storage of the fuels.