Marine fuel regulations

Fuels used by the international marine sector are mainly regulated by the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO). Countries and regions may set tighter requirements for their own territorial waters.

In 1987, the first specifications for petroleum-based fuels used in diesel engines and boilers in the shipping sector were set under ISO 8217: Petroleum Products - Fuel (Class F) - Specifications of marine fuels. The latest version is referenced as ISO 8217:2017. In addition, the IMO also defines the detailed classification of marine fuels within class F under ISO 8216: Petroleum products - Fuels (class F) classification - Part 1: Categories of marine fuels. The latest version is referenced as ISO 8216:2017, which is intended to be read in conjunction wi