Fuel Oil in Marine Engines and some Legal Implications

Before the mid 1970s fuel crisis, straight run residual fuel was available, world wide, for burning in marine diesel engines. Residual fuel rarely resulted in engine damage or problems. After the mid 1970s, this fuel was no longer available because refineries ‘worked’ on the residual to produce blended marine fuel oil. These fuels are inferior in quality to residual fuel and undesirable elements are often contained in the fuel. Sometimes, dumping of other products occur, either unintentionally or intentionally.