Hyundai Oilbank Starting VLSFO Bunkering from November

South Korean petroleum and refinery company Hyundai Oilbank is working on starting very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO) deliveries next month after applying for a patent of its VLSFO production process.

As revealed, the VLSFO will be produced at some of the company’s more advanced facilities.

The company said it introduced a “world’s first” technology that completely removes asphaltenes, which affect the stability of mixed oils, at select plants.

As explained, asphaltenes cause clogging of filters, piping, etc., which reduces the fuel economy of the vessel and, in severe cases, renders it impossible to inject the fuel normally.

“We have continued to develop core source technologies in preparation for tougher environmental regulations,” a company official commented.

“We will continue to actively respond to market changes by securing long-term contracts for VLSFO deliveries through advanced technologies.”

Hyundai Oilbank is joining a number of companies and port authorities in the preparations for upcoming IMO 2020 regulations that will require ships to burn cleaner fuels with a maximum 0.5% sulphur content from January 1, 2020.