VLSFO 0.5% Sulphur Marine Fuel

Very low sulphur fuel oil to ISO 8217 RMG 380, IMO 2020 compliant

VLSFO is residual marine fuel with sulphur capped at 0.50% m/m, the global limit that MARPOL Annex VI has applied outside Emission Control Areas since 1 January 2020. Most of it is contracted to ISO 8217 as RMG 380, and ISO 8217:2024 now gives VLSFO its own table, separate from high sulphur fuel. VLSFO is usually a blend of residues and cutter stocks, so the parameters that matter go beyond viscosity and sulphur: total sediment potential (TSP) and total sediment existent (TSE) for stability, compatibility when a new stem meets fuel already in the ship's tanks, aluminium plus silicon (catalyst fines) and pour point, since waxy blends can thicken in unheated tanks. The 2024 edition also added a minimum viscosity for VLSFO so the fuel can be handled and purified at a known temperature.

The trade runs on two tracks. Bunkering is delivery by licensed barge into a ship at a hub such as Singapore, Fujairah or Rotterdam, against a bunker delivery note and MARPOL sample. Cargo trade is a tanker parcel from a refinery or blender into storage, a bunker pool or a power plant. Singapore is the largest bunkering port by volume: the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) reported record marine fuel sales of about 56 million tonnes in 2025, and it has required MPA-approved mass flow meters on marine fuel oil deliveries since 1 January 2017, with the bunker delivery note quantity taken from the meter. Prices are referenced to published assessments such as Platts Marine Fuel 0.5% FOB Singapore, which has Fujairah and Rotterdam equivalents. CBIL is a commodity brokerage company and brokers VLSFO against the refinery or blender named on the certificate of analysis, SGS or Intertek inspection at load or delivery, and a named buyer or ship. Deals built on tank storage receipts, dip tests, ICPO/FCO procedures or advance fees are not worked; every enquiry is screened.

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Excluded origins are not offered, including product re-exported, blended or re-processed through a third country. Every lot moves with a certificate of origin naming the producing plant, mine or grower country, and nothing is quoted before the seller and loading point are known.