The implementation of the Global Sulphur Cap 2020 is a significant shift in the types of fuel oils being bunkered by the international shipping fleet, away from predominantly high sulphur Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) to a wider variety of fuel options with different properties (e.g. %S content, calorific value, viscosity, density, lubricity, pour point, compatibility, stability etc).
Due to continuous operation of two-stroke engines with compliant fuels with varying quality and grades, an impact on the reliability of the two-stroke engines and the time between overhauls (TBO) for the fuel-injection components may occur, resulting in vessels’ operational challenges.
Furthermore, the implementation of the Global Sulphur Cap 2020 will impose not only variations on the quality of the compliant fuels in terms of density, viscosity and combustion characteristics, but it is also expected to impose price increases of compliant fuels oils across many regions.
Wärtsilä’s solutions will maximize the fuel efficiency of two-stroke engines and minimize impact on vessels’ profitability and competitiveness due to the Global Sulphur Cap 2020.