Safeguarding compliant vessel operations in a changing regulatory landscape
Emma Machin, ExxonMobil’s Marine and Aviation Sales Manager for EAME, has been in her current post for around two years. One of the most significant changes she’s witnessed during that period is the introduction of the FuelEU Maritime regulation.
“The FuelEU Maritime regulation1, which came into force in January, requires vessels to cut their well-to-wake GHG emissions within EU waters and on voyages to and from the EU, as well. Operators have therefore been interested in talking to us about their fuel options,” explained Emma.
“We've been supplying bio marine fuel blends in ARA and Singapore since the early 2020s and we've recently started doing that in the UK as well. Biofuel blends have the potential to reduce life cycle GHG emissions, so obviously, that's been a welcome part of the conversations that our customers have been having with us.”
Cost-efficient compliance
As ExxonMobil bio marine fuel blends are drop-in fuels, they don't have additional complexity in terms of the bunkering process or require engine modifications2 and have similar storage processes, so they can represent a cost-efficient compliance option, Emma added.
“The scope and impact of the regulations have resulted in customers wanting to have more detailed conversations about their fuel purchases.”
She cites ExxonMobil’s work with Wallenius Wilhelmsen as being a good example of how customer relationships are changing. “We’ve been supplying them with bio marine fuel blends for the last couple of years, following on from a successful trial3,” she added.
Part of ExxonMobil’s success has been its ability to use the results from its test engine, based at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. Its ability to mimic how fuels behave in full size marine two-stroke engines has helped provide insights that have supported the adoption of bio marine fuel blends.
“The results from our test engine have helped as a useful demonstration to our customers,” Emma explains.
Collaboration is the key to success
Supporting the marine industry to successfully reach its GHG emission reduction ambitions requires more than just new fuel options, believes Emma. “Fuel suppliers and customers are going to have to adopt a more collaborative approach to problem solving and innovation.”
We’re heading for a multi-fuel future, she adds. “Different technologies are going to suit different sectors. That's a strategic challenge, but we’re already investigating how we can support customers across the various new technology pathways to reach the GHG emissions goals being set across the marine industry.”
To discover more about how ExxonMobil can help you comply with the FuelEU Maritime regulation, click here.
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- Decarbonising maritime transport – FuelEU Maritime - European Commission
- Consult with engine manufacturer. OEMs may limit bio blend percentages or specific bio components for certain engines.
- ExxonMobil makes no representation that your experience will be similar or identical to that in this testimonial. Actual results will vary depending on factors such as equipment used, its maintenance, operating conditions and fuel previously used.
