InsightsDecisions at the Pump Regular, Super or Sustainability By Robert Kunkelitting in our Mercedes Benz at a major truck stop, I cision is an expensive one. The International Maritime Orga-pressed up against the window of the passenger seat nization (IMO) adopted regulations in October of 2009 under to watch my wife ? ll the tank at the gas pump. I am Marpol’s Annex VI requiring signi? cant reductions in sulfur Snot allowed to drive her car, much less anything else contained in the heavy fuel oils. The limit declines to 0.1 % having to do with its operation. She opened the cap, pulled on January 1, 2015 in the Emission Control Areas (ECAs). out the bunker hose and wrestled with it to determine why Nitrogen Oxide reductions take place in 2020 with the ECAs it didn’t ? t in the spout. She turned, scratched her head and demanding a 74% reduction in NOx for any keels laid after realized we were parked in front of a diesel pump. The result January 1st, 2016. If an owner is planning a new construction was not a swift move to the next pump serving “regular” or project in 2014 with deliveries that range from 2016 to 2018, “super.” Rather, it was a concerned discussion with her techni- keel laying dates aside, the decision to satisfy both regula-cal supervisor. tory levels is at hand. Yet from our recent experience handling new construction at shipyards located in Korea, China and the “Can we use diesel?” she asked. United States, we see few owners making that full and com-“No – Your Mercedes only takes Super,” her technical plete decision of what fuel they will burn in the near future. manager replied. Most have continued on with propulsion systems capable of She asked again: “You’re sure? No diesel?” burning heavy fuels while attempting to make room for a fu-“Positive. And trust me: disastrous results if you do.” ture scrubber installation and others have become “half preg-“What a pain in the neck. The diesel is cheaper to- nant” by installing duel fuel engines – without the fuel.day!,” she moaned. And then, “I have to move to an- The simplest method of addressing current SOx emissions other pump?” is to reduce the sulfur content in the fuel you purchase. The “Yes and consider yourself lucky the proper fuel is regulations at this point go beyond the ECA zone limitations available within a short distance.” I told her. “Con-sider yourself lucky I don’t hitch a ride with one of the truckers that can use diesel and let you walk!” was her