Marine Diesel Oil

Marine Diesel Oil (MDO) is a type of fuel oil and is a blend of gasoil and heavy fuel oil. This is with less gas oil than intermediate fuel oil use in the maritime field. The Diesel Oil is also known as “Distillate Marine Diesel”. MDO is widely use medium speed and medium / high speed marine diesel engines. It is also use in the larger slow speed and medium speed propulsion engine which normally burn residual fuel. Those fuels resulting from a catalytic cracking/visbreaking refinery.

Marine diesel oil is condemn for its nimiety of sulfur, so many countries and organizations established regulations and laws on MDO use. Due to its lower price compared to more refined fuel, Shipping industry favors MDO particularly.

Specification

ISO 8217 of the International Standards Organization (ISO) is the primary standard of MDO. [2] Marine fuels range in viscosity from less than one centistoke (see viscosity) (cSt) to about 700 cSt at 50°C (122°F).[2] (1 cSt = 1 mm2/s). And higher viscosity grades preheat during use to bring their viscosity into the range suitable for fuel injection (8 to 27 cSt). [2]

But MDO does not need to preheat before using. According to our technical results Our, MDO has a sulfur limit varies from 1 to 4.5 percent from mass for different grades and Sulfur Emission Control Areas (SECAs). [2]

Manufacturing Procedure

MDO is made from a catalytic cracking/visbreaking refinery. [3] The catalytic cracking operation breaks large molecules into small molecules. It happens in high temperature and with appropriate catalyst. [3] Visbreaking is a process that turn the bottom product of the vacuum unit, which has extremely high viscosity, into lower viscosity, marketable product.[3]

In visbreaking, a relatively mild thermal cracking operation performs. And the overruling requirement to safeguard the heavy fuel stability and limit the amount of cracking. [3]

Use

The market of MDO is much smaller than on-highway diesel. According to the a 2004 U.S. Diesel Fuel Sales statistics from U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration, Marine shipping only takes 3.7% of total diesel market. Besides, On-highway diesel takes up 59.5% of diesel fuel sales. [2] This small sales share of MDO is due to the high proportion of petroleum resid that made it can use on large marine enginee.

Furthermore, petroleum resid, or inorganic salts, in the fuel result in injector tip deposits that prevent the injector from creating the desired fuel spray pattern. But those low-speed, large marine diesel engines are appropriate for using fuel containing large amounts of petroleum resid. [2]

Regulations and Restrictions

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) develops regulations for marine shipping. Among those regulations, MARPOL (the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) is the most widely preferable option.

However, MARPOL is the main international convention covering the prevention of operational or accidental pollution of the marine environment.

Inside IMO, there is a committee known as MEPC(Marine Environment Protection Committee). MEPC has meetings periodically and discuss resolutions to current marine pollution through adding amendments to its official documents. [4]

Marine Diesel Oil Products

Marine Diesel Oil products are specially formulated for use in marine engines and vessels. These high-performance oils ensure efficient combustion, reduce engine wear, and maintain optimal performance under demanding sea conditions. Designed to meet international maritime standards, they provide reliable operation across various climates and operational environments.