ISO standards expected to improve quality of marine fuels

New editions of two ISO standards on marine fuels have been developed to meet higher international requirements for air quality, ship safety, engine performance and crew health.
The development of ISO 8217:2010, Petroleum products – Fuels (class F) – Specifications of marine fuels, the fourth edition of this standard, was driven by a request by ISO's partner, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), to have it ready by the 1 July 2010 implementation date of the revised Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).

ISO 8217:2010 has met this deadline, being published on 15 June along with a new edition of the complementary standard, ISO 8216-1:2010, Petroleum products – Fuels (class F) classification – Part 1: Categories of marine fuels.
ISO's work in this area has led to improved quality of marine fuels and greater confidence and transparency between buyers and suppliers in the global market for marine fuels which is, in turn, a significant factor in maritime transport and global supply chains. In the past, local environmental legislation and other local conditions have varied considerably leading to a large number of categories of fuels being available.
The new editions of ISO 8217 and ISO 8216 will help to increase the international harmonization of marine fuel categories and raise the bar for quality. They tighten existing limits and add new parameters to meet with the evolution of technology in the sector and increased stakeholder expectations.
The standards have been developed by working group WG 6, Classification and specification of marine fuels, of subcommittee SC 4, Classifications and specifications, of ISO technical committee ISO/TC 28, Petroleum products and lubricants.
WG 6 comprises 47 expert members from 14 countries, covering the entire range of stakeholder interests in the marine industry: marine fuel manufacturers, major oil companies, marine engine manufacturers, ship owners, shipbuilders, marine fuel oil purchasers, marine fuel oils suppliers and distributors, classification societies, technical universities, engineering research and development centres, energy management services, marine engineers and marine fuel oil testing services.
According to Wanda Fabriek, leader of WG 6, the new edition of ISO 8217 "will give stakeholders confidence in improved fuel quality".
ISO 8217:2010, Petroleum products – Fuels (class F) – Specifications of marine fuels, and ISO 8216-1:2010, Petroleum products – Fuels (class F) classification – Part 1: Categories of marine fuels, are available from ISO national member institutes (see the complete list with contact details). They may also be obtained directly from the ISO Central Secretariat, price 118 Swiss francs for ISO 8217 and 38 Swiss francs for ISO 8216, through the ISO Store or by contacting the Marketing, Communication & Information department (see right-hand column).