Marine Fuels

Basics

• This page aims to lay out information and ongoing research on fuels in the context of Maritime Operations

Small Craft

Current Standards

• Gasoline (Although typically Ethanol Free Gasoline due to the water contamination issue)
• Standard Road Diesel

Future Options

• Propane (Some OTS Options exist for this, in particular small outboard engines for things like small (inflatable) boats “john boats” and whatnot)
• Butanol / Butanol Blends (Same Prospects as Ethanol or Methanol for On-Road Fuels, but none of the Hydroscopic issues)
• Biodiesel (For Transesterification Biodiesel need to look into Fuel Lubricity issues for existing engines, also especially with tanks below the waterline etc Fuel Gelling may be an issue
• DME and OMEx

Larger Craft

Current Standards

• Heavy Fuel Oil (aka Bunker Oil / Sixth Oil / #6 Fuel Oil etc)
  • Currently being phased out due to environmental, but also maintenance aspect (it’s a pita to work with/handle; essentially tar)
• Marine Diesel Oil (The new standard, although LNG may take it’s place)

Future Options

• LNG (Some new Cruise Ships and such are switching to this)
• Ammonia (In the form of Anhydrous Ammonia , complex to wprk with, but given Over the Water Transfer Operations are already quite involved and regulated, it is considered a viable fuel option (however not the case for average users in small craft etc)
• DME / OMEx / Bio-Diesel

Internal Links

• Marine DEF (It is a bit of a different composition to road Diesel Exhaust Fluid )

External Links

• A Study from 2022 in the journal “The International Journal of Hydrogen Energy” Titled “Environmental and economic evaluation of ammonia as a fuel for short-sea shipping: A case study”