Neste is introducing a new low-sulphur marine fuel, in time for the 2020 deadline set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO.) On January 1, IMO will enforce a 0.5% global sulphur cap on fuel content for areas currently with 3.5% limit. In these areas, all vessels will be required to use fuel with a maximum sulphur content of 0.5%, unless they use exhaust gas cleaning systems.

The Neste Marine™ 0.5, containing 0.5% sulphur, will be introduced to the market in the fourth quarter of 2019.

“Neste has always been in the forefront of developing cleaner and more sustainable solutions. This is also the key driver within our marine fuels business. Neste Marine 0.5 meets the stricter legislative requirements for maritime sulphur emissions, enabling smooth operations,” says Marko Pekkola, executive vice president of Oil Products at Neste.

Neste Marine 0.5 is manufactured in Neste’s refinery in Porvoo, Finland. Leveraging on its long-term refining expertise, Neste is able to ensure stable product quality and technical feasibility. These are verified by full-scale fuel equipment system and engine tests in laboratory and onboard. The product meets the RMG 0.5 specification and ISO 8217:2017 standard requirements.

The product will be available in Northwest Europe. The exact locations and product’s technical specification will be released in the fall of 2019.