New ISO 8217 eyes wider scope for alternative fuels

  • : Biofuels, Oil products
  • 24/04/24

The 7th edition of ISO 8217, to be published in the second quarter of this year, will outline a broader integration of marine biodiesel blending, delegates heard at the International Bunker Conference (IBC) 2024 in Norway.

Tim Wilson, principal specialist fuels of Lloyds Register's fuel oil bunkering analysis and advisory service (FOBAS), presented on the upcoming iteration of the ISO 8217 marine fuel specification standard, which will be released at IBC 2024. The new edition will incorporate specification standards for a wide range of fatty acid methyl ester (Fame)-based marine biodiesel blends up to B100, 100pc hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), as well as synthetic and renewable marine fuels. This will also include additional clauses to cover a wider scope, and briefly touch on biodiesel specifications that do not entirely align with road biodiesel EN-14214 specifications. This follows the emergence of widening price spreads for marine biodiesel blends because of specification differences and the lack of a marine-specific standard for the blends.

The new edition of ISO 8217 is also expected to remove the limit of 7pc Fame when blended with distillate marine fuels such as marine gasoil (MGO) which was in place in the previous ISO 8217:2017. Other changes to distillate marine biodiesel blends include changes to the minimum Cetane Index, oxidation stability alignment to be connected to either ISO 15751 for blends comprising 2pc or more of Fame biodiesel and ISO 12205 for blends comprising a Fame component of under 2pc. Cold-filter plugging point (CFPP) properties will be determined by the vessel's fuel storage tanks' heating capabilities and requirements will be set in place to report the CFPP for distillate marine biodiesel grades, according to the new edition of the marine fuel specification standard.

Wilson said that a minimum kinematic viscosity at 50°C will be in place for various forms of residual bunker fuel oil along with a viscosity control alerting suppliers to inform buyers of the exact viscosity in the supplied fuel. He said they have seen delivered fuel viscosity come in at much lower levels than ordered by the buyers, which was the reasoning behind the viscosity control monitoring requirement.


Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

24/06/13

Low-CO2 biofuel feedstock imports to rise: USDA

Low-CO2 biofuel feedstock imports to rise: USDA

New York, 13 June (Argus) — A new US tax credit kicking off next year that is more generous for fuels that produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions will likely spur more imports of low-carbon feedstocks, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said in a report this week. A raft of government incentives, including the federal renewable fuel standard and low-carbon fuel standards (LCFS) in states like California, has already spurred a boom in renewable diesel production, upping demand for feedstocks that can be used to make the fuel. The US was a net soybean oil importer for the first time ever in 2023 because of strong demand from domestic refineries, and the value of US imports of animal fats and vegetable oils more than doubled from 2020 to 2023 according to the report. That trend could become even more pronounced next year as the Inflation Reduction Act's 45Z tax credit, which offers up to $1.75/USG for sustainable aviation fuel and up to $1/USG for other fuels like renewable diesel, comes into force. The credit can only be claimed for fuel produced in the US, likely cutting biofuel imports and sending more feedstocks that would have been refined abroad to the US instead, the report says. The 45Z credit will also be more generous to fuels with lower carbon intensity, upping demand for waste feedstocks like used cooking oil that already fetch greater discounts in LCFS programs. Fast-rising imports of China-origin used cooking oil have already frustrated some agricultural groups, which lose out if there are more ample supplies of waste feedstocks. The report says that while soybean oil was the "crucial feedstock" allowing for the recent growth in US renewable diesel, its share of the feedstock mix has been trending downwards because of competition from lower-carbon feedstocks and lower-cost canola oil from Canada. While soybean oil exports have plunged because of the renewable diesel boom, they could recover slightly if refineries increasingly turning to waste feedstocks cuts into US soybean oil's current premium over global vegetable oils. The report adds that soybean oil's role in renewable diesel production is also at risk from rising supplies of soybean meal, which is produced alongside oil at crush plants and where the global demand picture is less clear. "Based on global demand for soybean meal, soybean oil cannot continue to fuel renewable diesel production growth at current rates during the next few years without major changes to global soybean meal demand, shifts in exporter market shares, or lower supplies in other exporting countries," the report says. By Cole Martin Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Neste supplies SAF to Emirates at Changi airport


24/06/13
24/06/13

Neste supplies SAF to Emirates at Changi airport

Singapore, 13 June (Argus) — Dubai-owned airline Emirates has started using blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supplied by Finnish biofuels producer Neste on flights departing from Changi airport from Neste's Singapore refinery. The two companies had signed a partnership in October 2023 for 3mn USG (8,600t) of blended SAF in 2024 and 2025, with Neste supplying over 6,000t of blended SAF to Emirates at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport this year. Neste has since supplied more than 2,600t of blended SAF into Changi's fuelling system over the past few weeks, with Emirates' deputy president and chief operating officer Adel Al Redha indicating a move towards "longer term agreements to help scale up a steady supply of SAF for operations". Emirates said it is the first international visiting airline using SAF supplied at Changi from Neste's Singapore refinery. By Deborah Sun Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Competing US farm bill drafts boost SAF


24/06/12
24/06/12

Competing US farm bill drafts boost SAF

New York, 12 June (Argus) — Republicans and Democrats say they still have work to do to negotiate a final agreement around this year's US farm bill, although proposals from both parties include provisions to boost production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Senator John Boozman (R-Arkansas) released the latest proposal on Tuesday, which represents the view of the minority Republicans on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. The bill clarifies that SAF is an eligible technology under a federal program that offers loan guarantees for the construction and retrofitting of biorefineries. Similar language appeared in the Republican-backed farm bill draft that passed the House Committee on Agriculture last month and in Senate committee chair Debbie Stabenow's (D-Michigan) Democratic-backed farm bill framework. The Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program currently offers support to producers of "advanced biofuels," a category that does not explicitly include alternative jet fuels and specifically limits fuels derived from corn starch. A revised definition of "advanced biofuels" could also allow SAF to benefit from other US Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs, including one that pays companies to expand production of renewable fuels. Corn growers and ethanol producers, which could benefit from Inflation Reduction Act tax credits for low-carbon fuels, are among the groups calling for the farm bill to include such SAF provisions. The White House has set a 2030 goal for US SAF production to reach at least 3bn USG/yr (200,000 b/d), although the types of fuels that can qualify for federal support are still up in the air. Some environmentalists have backed restrictions around crop-based feedstocks while biofuel and airline groups support more flexibility. The similar SAF language in the three proposals is notable given rifts between Democrats and Republicans over other elements of the farm bill, a major five-year agriculture policy package set to expire after September this year. While a handful of Democrats crossed party lines to advance the House proposal out of committee, others have criticized it for cutting food assistance and removing "climate-smart" requirements included in the Inflation Reduction Act for USDA conservation programs. Stabenow said that key differences remain between her proposal and Republican bills but that she was looking forward to working with lawmakers to "finish our work by the end of the year." Full legislative text is not yet available for the Stabenow and Boozman proposals, and it is unclear when the Senate committee will mark up a final bill. By Cole Martin Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Dangote sets new ULSD, gasoline output dates


24/06/12
24/06/12

Dangote sets new ULSD, gasoline output dates

London, 12 June (Argus) — Nigeria's 650,000 b/d Dangote refinery will start production of 10ppm sulphur diesel (ULSD) in the week commencing 17 June and gasoline production will follow as early as 10 July, refinery head Aliko Dangote told Nigeria's Channels Television on 11 June. The dates suggest a slight delay from most recent guidance of diesel exports and local gasoline sales this month, as made by the company's vice president for oil and gas Devakumar Edwin in May. Dangote said the offshore Lome diesel market had not been providing good quality diesel, and that west Africa had been used as a dumping ground for poor quality oil products, with 2,000ppm-3,000ppm sulphur content products previously being imported into Nigeria. In the same interview the president of Nigeria's Senate, Godswill Akpabio, praised the Belgian government's decision to ban the export of low quality fuels . Belgium supplied just 9pc of Nigeria's seaborne gasoil and diesel imports this year, down from 22pc last year, according to Vortexa. But Belgium has increased its share of the Nigerian finished-grade gasoline import market, supplying 35pc of its seaborne imports so far this year, up from 29pc in 2023. The Dangote refinery has until now been producing around 680-700ppm gasoil for supply to local and internationals markets. Gasoil loadings of at least 20,000t fob Dangote were last week offered at discounts of $35/t-$30/t against front-month Ice gasoil futures, according to sources. These levels are very low compared with the northwest European market, where 30,000t fob ARA cargoes were assessed at a discount of $1/t against front-month Ice gasoil futures. The heavy discount on gasoil loadings fob Dangote reflect stricter pricing terms, according to a local marketer, including upfront payment in lieu of letters of credit, and the payment for product in dollars and not the local naira currency. The Dangote refinery will start producing gasoline between 10-15 July, Aliko Dangote told Channels Television. The absence of gasoline production since Dangote started crude processing in January has meant its exports of naphtha — a key gasoline blending component — have so far totalled 720,000t, according to Kpler. The refinery hosts three straight-run naphtha tanks with a combined capacity of 90,000m³, three hydrotreated heavy naphtha tanks of a combined 90,000m³, and three hydrotreated light naphtha tanks with total capacity of 30,000m³, according to sources. By George Maher-Bonnett Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Nueva presidenta de México: ¿AMLO 2.0?


24/06/11
24/06/11

Nueva presidenta de México: ¿AMLO 2.0?

Mexico City, 11 June (Argus) — La resonante victoria de Claudia Sheinbaum en las elecciones presidenciales mexicanas del 2 de junio llegó después de que prometiera seguir el programa de energía de su mentor, el presidente saliente Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Pero la victoria también le da un mandato lo suficientemente grande como para considerar cambiar el rumbo. La presidenta electa se ha pronunciado a favor de las políticas estatales centristas de López Obrador, conocido como AMLO, que en los últimos seis años han revertido muchos aspectos de la apertura del mercado energético luego de la reforma de 2014. La refinación y las emisiones han aumentado, a pesar de que la producción de crudo y gas natural ha disminuido. El presidente detuvo las subastas de derechos de producción de crudo, y algunas de sus políticas energéticas han generado quejas de Estados Unidos por prácticas anticompetitivas bajo el acuerdo de libre comercio entre Estados Unidos, México y Canadá. Según la secretaría de economía, la inversión extranjera directa en el sector de la energía cayó de $3,890 mil millones en 2018, cuando AMLO asumió el cargo, a $286 millones de inversión el año pasado. Sheinbaum se comprometió en su discurso de victoria a promover "la inversión nacional y extranjera que respalde el bienestar social y el desarrollo regional, garantizando el respeto al medio ambiente", también prometiendo apoyar la "soberanía energética". Pero los mercados son pesimistas sobre una mejora en el clima de inversión. El peso, una de las divisas de los mercados emergentes con mayor rentabilidad este año, cayó después de las elecciones, antes de recuperarse parcialmente dos días después. Existen preocupaciones de que Sheinbaum use la abrumadora mayoría de su partido Morena capturada en la cámara de diputados, y cerca de conseguirlo en la de senadores, para impulsar reformas que AMLO no pudo pasar. Una de ellas podría incluir la reversión de la reforma energética de 2014, lo que haría mucho más difícil volver a abrir el sector a más inversiones externas. En teoría, la reversión podría ocurrir bajo el mandato de AMLO, ya que el último mes de su sexenio y el primer mes del nuevo congreso coincidirán, pero el tiempo sería ajustado y hacerlo podría socavar el mandato de su sucesora. Código verde Pero también existen razones para pensar que la presidenta electa podría optar por el pragmatismo. Como científica climática, Sheinbaum apoyó la expansión de las energías renovables durante su tiempo como jefa de gobierno de la Ciudad de México, mientras que AMLO ha bloqueado mucha inversión del sector privado en este sector. Sheinbaum prometió impulsar el nearshoring, que ya ha ayudado a sostener la economía de México, pero esto requerirá más electricidad limpia, así como más gas natural, en lo que México depende en gran medida de las importaciones desde Estados Unidos. Hacer todo esto requerirá mucho más de lo que el gobierno puede hacer por sí mismo, especialmente porque se ha comprometido a continuar con el apoyo financiero para la deuda de $101,500 millones de la empresa estatal de petróleo Pemex. Además, México se enfrenta a una grave escasez de agua a corto y largo plazo, lo que demandará mayores gastos gubernamentales y podría perjudicar el crecimiento económico. También, la violencia azota el país y el robo de combustible es creciente. Durante su discurso de victoria, Sheinbaum prometió evitar subidas en los precios del combustible, lo que requiere que el gobierno aumente los subsidios en tiempos de precios más altos. La bajada de los precios del petróleo ha aliviado esa presión este año, pero siempre puede volver. La refinería Olmeca de 340,000 b/d de Pemex, el muy retrasado proyecto de energía insignia de AMLO para ayudar a México a reducir las importaciones de combustible, podría comenzar operaciones a finales del año próximo, según previsiones externas, pero también requerirá de más gasto. Un segundo mandato del presidente estadounidense Joe Biden después de las elecciones de noviembre podría presionar a Sheinbaum para impulsar el desarrollo renovable, aunque en caso de que el ganador sea el expresidente Donald Trump, podría buscar cooperación en las energías convencionales. No está claro lo bien que Trump interactuará con Sheinbaum, pero tuvo una relación extrañamente productiva con AMLO. En los siguientes cuatro meses previos a que Sheinbaum asuma el cargo de presidente el 1 de octubre, las cosas quedarán más claras. Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more