Fuel Properties and Cost Guide
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The Fuel Properties and Cost Guide is a technical reference and strategic planning tool for evaluating marine fuels under today’s evolving regulatory landscape. Aligned with FuelEU Maritime, EU ETS, and the IMO Net-Zero Strategy, it benchmarks 22 fuels from HFO and MGO to e-methanol and bio-LNG on properties such as LCV, GHG intensity, flash point, CH₄/N₂O emissions, and VLSFO-equivalent cost.
This guide supports fuel selection, compliance planning, and fleet transition strategies through 2050. It includes:
Regulatory cost comparisons (€/tCO₂ and €/tonne fuel)
Safety and handling requirements (HSE, onboard compatibility)
Fuel availability and infrastructure overview
Normalized performance tables for WtW and TtW emissions
Practical insights for integrating new fuels onboard
How the tool works
Watch the tutorial for a step-by-step explanation of the tool, or check the case studies below. Download the Excel model to further tweak your analyses. Contact the helpdesk for support and customization options.
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Case studies
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References
Hyperlinks and downloads for premium users only
Sustainable Ships - Rules and Regulations Insights
ISO - ISO 8217:2024 - Specifications of marine fuels
IMO - Guidelines on life cycle GHG intensity of marine fuels (2024 LCA Guidelines)
IMO - Study readiness & availability of low & zero-carbon ship technology & marine fuels
IMO - Greenhouse gas study
IMO - Methanol as Marine Fuel Techno-Economic Feasibility
IMO - IGF Code of safety for ships using gases or other low-flashpoint fuels
EU - FuelEU Maritime Directive Regulation 2023/1805 Document 32023R1805
EU - EU C(2023) 6728 annex I - rules for monitoring GHG emissions & maritime transport
EU - RED Directive 2023/2413 - promotion of energy from renewable sources
FCBI Energy - Methanol as a marine fuel report for the Methanol Institute
G. Hagen - Hydrogen powered propulsion for an offshore crane vessel
Marine Methanol - Fuel price comparison
DNV - Pt.6 Ch2. Sec.8 Fuel Ready Ships
ABS - Guide for Methanol and Ethanol Fuelled Vessels
CIMAC - Marine-fuels containing FAME; A guideline for shipowners & operators
Arenared - Fuels and properties
WLPGA - Guide for LPG Marine Fuel Supply
Shell - GTL Fuel Shell SYNTHETIC TECHNOLOGY FOR CLEANER AIR
Shell - GTL Fuel Alternative fuel for diesel engines to reduce local emissions
Nova Institute - 2017 Biorefinery Map
Neste - Renewable Diesel Handbook
EPA - Guidance on ECA Marine Fuel
EPA - Emission Factor Documentation LPG