Bunker oil is a broad term for the fuel used by ships. It’s derived from the process of “bunkering” which refers to the refueling of a ship.
There are two main types:
1. Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO)
- Also known as residual fuel oil.
- Thick, viscous liquid remaining after lighter products like gasoline and diesel are refined from crude oil.
- High sulfur content, leading to significant air pollution.
- Lower cost compared to distillate fuels.
- Primarily used by large ships due to its high energy density.
2. Marine Gasoil (MGO)
- A distillate fuel, similar to diesel but with specific marine specifications.
- Lower sulfur content compared to HFO, resulting in cleaner emissions.
- Higher cost than HFO.
- Used by smaller ships and in certain marine engines
Other types of bunker oil include:
- Low-sulfur fuel oil (LSFO)
- Ultra-low sulfur fuel oil (ULSFO)
- Very low-sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO)
These classifications are based on sulfur content and are introduced to meet stricter environmental regulations.
