Bunker Fuel Is an Integral Part of the Shipping and Marine Industry

 

Bunker fuel (also known as bunker crude) is technically any type of fuel used by the shipping and marine industry. The two main types of bunker fuel are such as residual fuel and distillate fuel. Residual bunker fuel is widely used in the shipping and marine industry. Tankers vessels, container vessels, bulk and general cargo vessels, etc. are some of the major end-user of bunker fuels. Bunker fuel is poured into the ship bunkers for the generation of power in the engine. Ships use mainly three types of marine fuels, such as diesel oil, low sulfur fuel oil, and high sulfur fuel oil.

Moreover, due to their unique qualities, bunker fuels are often used in reciprocating engines, which are designed to work in extreme temperatures and extreme conditions. The demand for bunker fuel is also rapidly increasing with the increasing hydrogen resource development activities in offshore areas, as well as increasing marine activities. For instance, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the U.S. marine fuel oil prices reached the highest levels since February 2020 on limited supply.

Another highly recommended type of bunker fuel for applications in the marine environment is heavy distillate fuel oil. This class of bunker fuel usually comes from a liquid petroleum gas plant that undergoes a multi-step clean-up process. In this process, a highly compressed natural gas is recovered. However, this natural gas is mixed with highly pressurized sodium fluoride, which has the effect of binding solid waste materials.

Distillate bunk tanks are often used for applications in which there is a great deal of saltwater accessibility. For example, it is common in many marine applications for military boats to use diesel-powered in-board water engines. Diesel can be expensive and heavy, making diesel bunker fuel an ideal choice for in-board water engines. Moreover, it is highly suited to both hot and cold weather operations because of its ability to maintain constant temperatures even in extreme weather conditions.