ISO 8217 : 2005
Requirements for marine residual fuels

Characteristic Limit RMA
30
RMB
30
RMD
80
RME
180
RMF
180
RMG
380
RMH
380
RMK
380
RMH
700
RMK
700
Density at 15˚C, kg/m3 max. 960.0 975.0 980 991.0 991.0 1010.0 991.0 1010.0
Kinematic viscosity at 50˚C, m2s11 max. 30.0 80 180 380 700
Flash point, ˚C max. 60 60 60 60 60
Pour point (upper), ˚C
— winter quality max. 0 24 30 30 30 30
— summer quality max. 6 24 30 30 30 30
Carbon residue, % (m/m) max. 10 14 15 20 18 22 22
Ash, % (m/m) max. 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15
Water, % (v/v) max. 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
Sulfur, % (m/m) max. 3.5 4.0 4.5 4.5 4.5
Vanadium, mg/kg max. 150 350 200 500 300 600 600
Aluminium plus silicon, mg/kg max. 180 80 80 80 80
Total sediment, potential, % (m/m) max. 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10
Zinc (mg/kg) max. 15

A fuel is considered to be free of ULO if one or more of the elements are below the limits. All three elements shall exceed the limits before deemed to contain ULO

Phosphorus (mg/kg) max. 15
Calcium (mg/kg) max. 30

Requirements for marine distillate fuels

Characteristic Unit Limit Category ISO-F Test method
reference
DMX DMA DMB DMC*
Density at 15˚C kg/m3 max. 890.0 900.0 920.0 ISO 3675 or
ISO 12185
(see also 7.1)
Viscosity at 40˚C mm2/s b min. 1.40 1.50 ISO 3104
max. 5.50 6.00 11.0 14.0 ISO 3104
Flash point ˚C min. 60 60 60 ISO 2719
(see also 7.2)
min. 43
Pour point (upper) c
— winter quality ˚C max. -6 0 0 ISO 3016
— summer quality max. 0 6 6 ISO 3016
Cloud point ˚C max. -16 d ISO 3015
Sulfur % (m/m) max. 1.00 1.50 2,00 e 2,00 e ISO 8754 or ISO14596
(see also 7.3)
Cetane index min. 45 40 35 ISO 4264
Carbon residue
on 10% (V/V) distillation bottoms
% (m/m) max. 0.30 0.30 ISO 10370
Carbon residue max. 0.30 2.50 ISO 10370
Ash % (m/m) max. 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.05 ISO 6245
Appearance f Clear and bright f See 7.4 and 7.5
Total sediment, existent % (m/m) max. 0,10 f 0.10 ISO10307-1
(see 7.5)
Water % (V/V) max. 0,3 f 0.3 ISO 3733
Vanadium mg/kg max. 100 ISO14597 or
IP 501 or IP 470 (see 7.8)
Aluminium plus silicon mg/kg max. 25 ISO 10478 or
IP 501 or IP 470 (see 7.9)
Used lubricating oil (ULO) The fuel shall be free of ULO g
Zinc mg/kg max. 15 IP 501 or IP 470
Phosphorus 15 IP 501 or IP 500
Calcium 30 IP 501 or IP 470
(see 7.7)
  1. Note that although predominantly consisting of distillate fuel, the residual proportion can be significant.
  2. 1mm2/s = 1cSt
  3. Purchasers should ensure that this pour point is suitable for the equipment on board, especially if the vessel operates in both the northern and southern hemispheres.
  4. This fuel is suitable for use without heating at ambient temperatures down to - 16˚C.
  5. A sulfur limit of 1,5%(m/m) will apply in SOx emission control areas designated by the International Maritime Organization, when its relevant protocol enters into force. There may be local variations, for example the EU requires that sulfur content of certain distillate grades be limited to 0,2% (m/m) in certain applications. See 0.3 and reference [7].
  6. If the sample is clear and with no visible sediment or water, the total sediment existent and water tests shall not be required. See 7.4. and 7.5.
  7. A fuel shall be considered to be free of used lubricating oils (ULOs) if one or more of the elements zinc, phosphorus and calcium are below or at the specified limits. All three elements shall exceed the same limits before a fuel shall be deemed to contain ULOs.