Bunker Fuel Grades - How do the four main fuel grades differ from each other?
The International Standard Organization (ISO) in cooperation with marine and petroleum industry prepared specifications to meet the requirements for marine fuels supplied world wide for use onboard ships. There are 19 categories of residual fuels available internationally. Out of these 19, four categories or grades are most frequently supplied and used by ships.
Industrial names for the four grades are IFO180, IFO380, MDO and MGO. These relate to the ISO grades RME25, RMG35, DMB and DMA respectively. Industrial nomenclature is based on the fuel viscosity at 50°C. IFO 180 indicates that the viscosity of the fuel is 180 cSt at 50°C and IFO 380 fuel will have a viscosity of 380 cSt at 50°C. MDO stands for Marine Diesel Oil which is a blend of gas oil and heavy oil. MGO is marine gas oil which is clear and not blended with heavy fuel.
ISO has specified 11 parameters for residual fuels and 14 parameters for distillate fuels. A specified grade of fuel should meet all the requirements set by ISO. See links to the ISO 8217 table showing all the grades and the requirements below.
IFO180 or RME25 has about 6 to 7 % gas oil in it where as IFO380 or RMG35 has about 3% gas oil. Because of the higher gas oil content, price of the IFO180 is higher than the heavier IFO380 grade. In addition to the difference in the gas oil content, requirements for 4 out of 11 parameters are different for the two grades. As you can see from the table, maximum for viscosity, carbon residue, ash content and Vanadium are different for the two grades.
MDO or DMB is a blend of heavy fuel and gas oil and they are cheaper than pure MGO or DMA. Requirements are different for both the grades. The ISO 8217 table (see below) clearly indicates the differences.