As we all know, it’s human nature to always want to push the limits of what is currently possible, and it’s through this spirit that we as human beings have moved from the world of sailboats and ships into the era of fuel-powered open-water travel. But with this significant leap, marine fuel consumption and emissions are at a record high. This is because most ships use the cheapest liquid fuels on the market, whose quality tends to vary greatly.
As a result, it’s vital that if you are a seafarer, you be aware of the quality and quantity of fuel being used. With this knowledge, you can then get an understanding of how to manage your vessel’s fuel consumption and usage while still maintaining high-performance standards. Therefore, this article is designed to help you navigate the sea of marine fuel test, but first, you must understand what this practice entails and why it is important.
What Is Marine Fuel Testing
Marine fuel testing is a practice whereby the fuel used on a ship is tested in a lab to identify the components of the fuel. In recent years many countries have adopted this traffic, with Canada at the forefront. This is because each Canadian vessel or any vessel operating in or near Canadian waters abides by its maritime fuel and navigation safety regulations.
Also, all mines and vessels operating in deep water or polar waters, such as nautilus minerals, have been put on a navigational watch. This is to ensure that they adhere to the agreed-upon maritime navigation, and safety regulations, including testing their fuel and any alternative fuels they use.
Why Is Marine Fuel Testing Important
Since fuel is one of the top expenses incurred when running a water vessel, it’s best to know what it entails hence the fuel testing exercise. But still, the question remains why is fuel testing necessary? Here are a couple of reasons why fuel testing is important .
Check For Quality
Even though most ships and water vessels use the cheapest or alternative fuels, it’s best to ensure their quality. The test results from the fuel test will help you determine the quality of the fuel after you send a sample to the labs for testing. Also, by running this test, you’ll be sure if or not you are getting your money’s worth.
Adhere to the Rules
Since almost all ships use the cheapest marine fuels, the gross tonnage of fuel emissions into the marine environment is obvious. If the fuel used is subpar, the effects are usually catastrophic. By running the fuel test, you’ll know if the fuel you are using meets the set standards.
As you know, fuel combustion leads to sulfur emissions into the environment, a highly harmful compound. Sulfur emissions to the marine environment contaminate the sea and ocean, from hydrothermal vents to aquatic life. As a result of this, the international maritime organization adopted the following rules on sulfur emissions:
- Designated Emission Control Areas (DECA)
This states that ships operating and navigating in areas like the Baltic Sea, Canada, the North Sea, and the United States are assigned 0.10% gross tonnage of sulfur emissions.
- IMO 2020
Ships operating in regions outside the DECA are required to reduce sulfur content of their fuel oil from 3.50% to 0.50%.
Also, conducting this test helps you avoid unnecessary fines that come with not observing the set rules and regulations such as the polar code.
It helps Prevent Mechanical and Technical Problems
By testing the fuel, you’ll be fully aware of its contents and composition; thus, you can make an informed decision if it is suitable for your vessel. This is mainly due to the fact that most water vessels use customized cheap fuel.
Therefore, you can customize the fuel to meet your performance requirements while limiting the mechanical and technical problems you usually face. Also, with customized fuel, you are assured of improved performance when it comes to the nautical miles your vessel can cover.
Helps Reduce the Costs
As stated above, the present value of operating a water vessel is costly. This is even more costly than running an international shipping fleet. Therefore, if you get a chance to cut costs, you better take it. Since running tests helps you understand the fuel, you’ll be able to prevent costly expenses such as repairing or replacing the engine or turbines due to damage caused by the fuel you are using.
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