THE THING WITH CATFINES

Earlier this year the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published a revised edition of its ISO 8217 specifications for marine fuels, which still maintains a 60 mg/kg limit for catfines (catalytic fines). It’s not a rare thing to hear comments about this threshold being on the high side.

A test conducted just a few days ago by the Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) takes the debate to a new level. It shows that a number of bunker samples delivered in Fujeirah, a strategic bunkering port, contained aluminium and silicon (Al + Si catfines) at levels ranging from “above 75 mg/kg up to nearly double, at 139 mg/kg.” Considering what catfines can do to engines, this is a big deal.

As exceptional the findings may be, they underscore the potential of even more uncertainty, and thus risk, that needs to be addressed: the FOBAS analysis states that “Al+Si at 75mg/kg can be difficult to reduce but may be manageable; however Al+Si at levels up to 139mg/kg would prove extremely difficult to bring down to acceptable levels for engine entry (

Founded in Canada in 1981, Aderco develops, manufactures and distributes specialised fuel treatments, including fuel conditioners and lubricity improvers. Aderco products are 100% vegetal-organic, 100% ashless and 100% metal-free. As such they set the benchmark for greater performance, efficiency and sustainability in fuel-powered operations in the marine/maritime, mining, power generation and transportation sectors worldwide. Aderco Ltd, based near Winchester in the UK, focuses on applications for the marine market in the UK as well as for industrial sectors in the UK and abroad. Aderco Pte Ltd spearheads the Group’s on and off-shore activities in the dynamic Asia/Pacific/Oceania region. Aderco Marine sprl is based in Waterloo, Belgium, and 100% dedicated to serving our customers in the global maritime market. All are wholly owned subsidiaries of Aderco International SA, the Group HQ located in Nyon, Switzerland. With a strategic presence in Athens, Dubai, Genoa, Houston, Limassol, Montreal, Genova, Sao Paulo, Conakry, Jakarta, Seoul, Singapore and Sydney and over 20 stock points across the globe for rapid response logistics, our customers can count on outstanding technical, sales and customer support.

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This release was published on openPR.