SUBSCRIBER NOTE: Platts to reflect ISO 2010 in bunker, cargo assessments

(Platts is republishing this subscriber note ahead of the January 2, 2019 effective date for the change in fuel standards reflected in its assessments globally. This note was first published March 26, 2018)

S&P Global Platts will begin reflecting the International Organization for Standardization's ISO 8217:2010 standards in all of its bunker fuel assessments as well as many fuel oil cargo and barge assessments globally from January 2, 2019.

Material provided against trades reported in the Platts Market on Close assessment process from that date is expected to meet these revised specification standards.

Currently, Platts reflects in its bunker assessments specifications as defined by the ISO in document ISO 8217:2005 (E) - Petroleum products - Fuels (class F) - Specifications of marine fuels.

Since January 3, 2012, these assessments have also reflected revised bunker fuel specifications set out by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, or MARPOL, that limit sulfur content to a maximum of 3.5%.

In addition, Platts currently assesses Marine Gasoil and Marine Diesel fuels at several locations globally, with sulfur limits varying from 0.1% to 2% depending on the grade and location.

The changes follow a proposal on bunker specifications published by Platts on September 26, 2017, and reflect feedback received.

The relevant subscriber note is available here: https://www.platts.com/subscriber-notes-details/27874769 Globally, Platts assesses IFO 180 CST, IFO 380 CST and IFO 500 CST residual marine fuels at a range of locations on ex-wharf and delivered basis.

Please note several key fuel cargo and barge benchmarks would be affected by this evolution in specification, including several that underpin financial derivatives markets as well as term physical contracts.

These include Singapore HSFO 180 CST (market database code PUADV00); Singapore HSFO 380 CST (code PPXDK00); FOB AG HSFO 180 CST (code PUABE00); FOB AG HSFO 380 CST (code AAIDC00); USGC HSFO (code PUAFZ00); USGC RMG 380 (code PUBDM00), Fuel Oil 3.5% FOB Med cargoes (code PUAAZ00) and FOB Rotterdam Fuel Oil 3.5% barges (code PUABC00).

Platts intends for its key benchmark fuel oil assessments listed above to continue to reflect a maximum of 3.5% sulfur through the planned International Maritime Organization limitations on sulfur in marine fuels in 2020.

The introduction of ISO 8217:2010 standards will result in the following modifications to specifications reflected in Platts bunker assessments:

IFO 380 CST: Specifications will generally conform to RMG 380 CST, ISO 8217:2010.

This results in the following additional parameters: Calculated Carbon Aromaticity Index: 870 maximum; Hydrogen sulfide: 2 mg/kg maximum; Acidity: 2.5 mg KOH/g maximum; Sodium: maximum 100 mg/kg. The following parameters will be modified: Ash: maximum limit lowered to 0.10%; Vanadium: limit changed to 350 mg/kg maximum; Aluminum plus Silicon: maximum limit lowered to 60 mg/kg; Fuel shall be free of used lubricants.

Fuel will be deemed to contain used lubricants when either: a) Calcium exceeds a 30 mg/kg maximum and Zinc exceeds a 15 mg/kg maximum; or b) Calcium exceeds a 30 mg/kg maximum and Phosphorus exceeds a 15 mg/kg maximum.

IFO 180 CST: Specifications will generally conform to RME 180 CST, ISO 8217:2010.

This results in the following additional parameters: Calculated Carbon Aromaticity Index: 860 maximum; Hydrogen sulfide: 2 mg/kg maximum; Acidity: 2.5 mg KOH/g maximum; Sodium: maximum 50 mg/kg. The following parameters will be modified: Ash: maximum limit lowered to 0.070%; Vanadium: limit changed have been lowered to 150 mg/kg maximum; Aluminum plus Silicon: maximum limit lowered to 50 mg/kg; Fuel shall be free of used lubricants.

Fuel will be deemed to contain used lubricants when either: a) Calcium exceeds a 30 mg/kg maximum and Zinc exceeds a 15 mg/kg maximum; or b) Calcium exceeds a 30 mg/kg maximum and Phosphorus exceeds a 15 mg/kg maximum.

Marine Diesel: Specifications will generally conform to DMB, ISO 8217:2010.

This results in the following additional parameters: Hydrogen sulfide: 2 mg/kg maximum; Acidity: 0.5 mg KOH/g maximum; Oxidation stability: 25 gm3; Lubricity at 60 degrees Celsius: 520 um. The following parameters will be modified: Kinematic Viscosity at 40 degrees Celsius: maximum 11 CST with the addition of a minimum of 2 CST.

Marine Gasoil: Specifications will generally conform to DMA, ISO 8217:2010.

This results in the following additional parameters: Hydrogen sulfide: 2 mg/kg maximum; Acidity: 0.5 mg KOH/g maximum; Oxidation stability: 25 gm3; Lubricity at 60 degrees Celsius: 520 um.

The following parameters will be modified: Kinematic Viscosity at 40 degrees Celsius: maximum 6 CST and with the addition of a minimum of 2 CST.

Marine Gasoil 0.1%: Specifications will generally conform to DMA, ISO 8217:2010, but with a 0.1% sulfur maximum limit.

This results in the following additional parameters: Hydrogen sulfide: 2 mg/kg maximum; Acidity: 0.5 mg KOH/g maximum; Oxidation stability: 25 gm3; Lubricity at 60 degrees Celsius: 520 um.

The following parameters will be modified: Kinematic Viscosity at 40 degrees Celsius: maximum 6 CST and with a modified minimum of 2 CST.

IFO 500 CST: Platts IFO 500 CST assessments currently reflect specifications for RMK 500 CST, ISO 8217: 2010, and will therefore not change.

The ISO 8217:2010 standard includes the Micro Carbon Residue (MCR) standard for measuring material's coke-forming tendencies.

Platts will therefore no longer specify the Conradson Carbon Residue (CCR) measurement used in some of Platts' fuel oil assessments in order to remain consistent with the ISO 8217: 2010 standard.

The two measuring bases express the results of two different, but considered broadly equivalent, tests measuring coke-forming tendencies in tested substances.

In both cases of MCR and CCR, the results of the two relevant tests are expressed in the same manner of mass of carbon in the material being tested (% m/m).

Platts periodically reviews the specifications of all its assessments to ensure they are representative of the most tradable grades.

Such reviews may lead to changes to the existing specifications of an assessment, though any changes are subject to further industry consultation ahead of any final decision.

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