Also known as: Bunker, Bunkers
Bunker fuel is any fuel used on board a ship.
The most commonly used type is residual fuel oil bunker or Bunker C.
Grades of Bunker fuel
- Bunker A - Gasoil range bunker fuel, typically called marine diesel or marine gasoil
- Bunker B - Low-viscosityvac resid range bunker fuel. Typically cut with some lighter material (VGO) to reduce viscosity to the point that it will flow without heating
- Bunker C - The most common form of bunker.Composed primarily of vac resid range material, with a high viscosity that requires heating in order to pump. Typically sold at several viscosity specifications: 180 centistoke, 380 centistoke, or 460 centistoke, with 380 being the most common grade. The viscosities are measured at 50C, the typical heated temperature of the fuel
In addition, the bunker fuel which can be used in the Sulfur Emissions Control Areas (SECAs) must have a maximum sulfur content of 0.1%, which requires either using Bunker A or a Ultra Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (ULSFO). SECAs currently include the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, the English Channel, and the area up to 200 nautical miles off the North American coast plus a zone in the Caribbean.
From January 1st, 2020, bunker fuels used globally outside the SECA regions will be restricted to having a maximum sulfur content of 0.5%.
FAQs
Bunker Calculation Example
Let's understand the calculation of bunker through the formula “Mass = Volume x Density” in this example. The example takes the case of heavy fuel oil. For instance, the ullage of the tank is 2.99 MTR. Then you can ask the BRIDGE about the trim.
Is bunker fuel still used? ›
As such, HFO has been keeping the world's biggest ships moving. As of 2020, around 60% of the world's ocean-going large vessels were using HFO.
What are the standards for bunker fuel? ›
These include: Calculated Carbon Aromaticity Index: 870 maximum; Sulfur: maximum 0.5%; Flash point: minimum 60 degrees Celsius; Hydrogen sulfide: 2 mg/kg maximum; Acidity: 2.5 mg KOH/g maximum; Pour point (upper) winter quality: 30 degrees Celsius maximum, summer quality: same; Water: 0.5% maximum; Ash: 0.10% maximum; ...
What is the difference between Vlsfo and Lsmgo? ›
LSMGO has a 0.1pc maximum sulphur content and a viscosity of 2-6 centistoke (cst) compared with VLSFO that has a maximum sulphur content of 0.5pc and a viscosity of up to 380cst.
How do I calculate my fuel? ›
But worry not if you've lost the handbook or can't find the amount; you can easily find the fuel consumption using: • The distance you travel • Your car's fuel efficiency in miles per gallon (mpg) Fuel consumption = Distance travelled / Fuel efficiency You can calculate your fuel usage in either kilometres per litre or ...
What is the formula for fuel quantity? ›
If you use kilometers and liters, divide the fuel you used by the kilometers you traveled. Then, multiply the result by 100 to get "liters per 100 kilometers". You have to start with a full tank and fill your gas tank all the way back up to know exactly how much gas your car consumed.
Can a diesel engine run on bunker fuel? ›
Maritime vessels use bunker fuel to power their motors, but depending on your vessel, it might not be regular white diesel. Some watercraft indeed use diesel and other, larger vessels marine gas oil (which is considered a low sulfur fuel oil or LSFO) as their source of bunker fuel.
Do ships still burn bunker oil? ›
Most commercial ships currently burn fuel oil with 0.5% sulfur content known as very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO). Prior to implementation of the IMO 2020 regulations on Jan. 1, 2020, they burned cheaper fuel oil with 3.5% sulfur content known as high sulfur fuel oil (HSFO).
What is the most common bunker fuel? ›
In practice only two of these are commonly used, namely, marine diesel oil (MDO) and marine gas oil (MGO). MDO is a blend of gas oil and residual oil and MGO is a high quality distillate diesel fuel that contains no residual oil blending components.
Do LNG ships use bunker fuel? ›
In an effort to curb air pollution from shipping, some shipowners have turned to liquefied natural gas (LNG) as the bunker fuel of choice since it emits significantly fewer air pollutants and contains 30 percent less carbon than HFO.
Bunker fuel or bunker crude is technically any type of fuel oil used aboard water vessels. Its name is derived from coal bunkers, where the fuel was originally stored.
Why is Vlsfo cheaper than MGO? ›
Marine Gas Oil (MGO) also meets the 0.5% sulfur requirement but is usually more refined and, consequently, more expensive than VLSFO. In terms of cost, VLSFO positions itself as a middle-ground option—more expensive than HSFO due to its lower sulfur content, yet cheaper than the higher-grade MGO.
Which fuel has the lowest sulphur rating? ›
Diesel – our diesel is ultra low sulphur, with less than 0.001% sulphur, contributing to cleaner air. It's designed for modern diesel motors and environmental controls, and it is still suitable for older diesel motors.
Is Vlsfo heavy fuel oil? ›
Hence the name Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO). The same product is also known by the technical names as Number 6 Fuel Oil (Bunker C) as well as Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (VLSFO). Names also used interchangeably include Fuel Oil, Heavy Oil, Marine Fuel, Furnace Oil, Marine Heavy Fuel Oil, Bunker Oil, Bunker Fuel.
How do you calculate VCF and WCF? ›
M. – T 54B (VCF) > Density @ 15*C 0.9903 = 0.9870 (see the above picture you need to interpolate if any different numbers on both columns). (Quick formula with reducing factor for WCF is Density @ 15*C – 0.0011 = 0.9903 – 0.0011 = 0.9892).
How to calculate fuel flow? ›
Expressed as a formula it looks like this:
- Given Horsepower x .50 lb fuel/hp = lbs of fuel for given horsepower.
- 200 lbs/hr / 6.25 lbs/gal = 32 gph.
- BSFC . 50 / 6.25 = . 0800 gallons / horsepower / hour.
- OR.
- BSFC .70 / 6.59 = .106 gallons / horsepower / hour.
- 800 * .106 = 84.80 gph.
Fuel Cost = (Distance / Fuel Efficiency) * Fuel Price
Fuel Price is the cost of one gallon of fuel. To calculate the fuel cost, you divide the distance by the fuel efficiency to determine the total number of gallons of fuel consumed. Then, you multiply that by the fuel price to obtain the total fuel cost.
