Production Method and Supply System of Low-Sulfur Marinc Fuels

Abstract

The severe sulfur regulation of marine fuels is now discussed to reduce the emission of SOx, NOx and PM from ships for the purpose of the environmental protection on the ocean in IMO (International Maritime Organization/MEPC (The Marine Environment Protection Committee) /BLG (Bulk Liquids and Gases) . The severest proposal is that all marine fuels will be switched to the distillate and the sulfur contents will be reduced to 1.0mass% until 2012 and to 0.5mass% until 2015. However, if this severe proposal will be adopted, some issues concerning the supply capacity of low-sulfur marine fuels and the balance between heavy oil's supply and demand will be raised. Then, it is necessary to discuss carefully the measures to be taken. This paper presents the trends of sulfur regulation of marine fuels in IMO, the production methods of low-sulfur marine fuels, the proposal (Prevention of air pollution from ships) endorsed in MEPC, 56th and the outline of the investigation plan about the forecast of heavy oil's supply and demand, influence of the environment, etc, by JPEC (Japan Petroleum Energy Center) .