ISO 8217:2010, Petroleum products - Fuels (class F) - Specifications of marine fuels, is the fourth edition of a standard that guides quality for the fuels used to power ocean vessels, commercial ships, ferries, and other water vehicles. The standard was updated in response to a request by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). ISO 8216-1:2010, Petroleum products - Fuels (class F) classification - Part 1: Categories of marine fuels, a complementary standard, has also been updated.
The new editions of these standards will facilitate international harmonization of marine fuel categories and improve fuel quality. Existing quality guidelines have been tightened under the standards' revisions, and new parameters were added in accordance with updated technology and increased stakeholder expectations.
ISO's work through these and other standards has led to improved quality of marine fuels and greater confidence and transparency between buyers and suppliers in the global market for marine fuels. These changes have facilitated increased efficiency in the global supply chain for marine fuel, reducing the large number of disparate fuel categories specific to each country.
These standards were developed by ISO Technical Committee (TC) 28, Petroleum products and lubricants, subcommittee (SC) 4, Classifications and specifications. The U.S. holds the leadership of TC 28, and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has delegated secretariat responsibilities to ASTM International, an ANSI member and audited designator. Dr. W. James Bover of ExxonMobil Biomedical Sciences Inc. serves as chairperson.
For more information, see the ISO news release.