Marine Gas Oil (MGO) (H3)
Marine Gas Oil (MGO) is a high-quality, clean-burning distillate fuel that requires little to no pre-heating, primarily used in marine diesel engines and auxiliary systems.
Types: (H4)
- DMX: A special light distillate for high-speed engines and emergency generators.
- DMA: The primary and highest quality MGO grade, a pure distillate fuel.
- DMB: Known as Marine Diesel Oil (MDO).
- DMZ: An additional MGO grade introduced in the ISO 8217 standard.
Key Features: (H4)
- Distillate Nature: MGO is produced through the fractional distillation of crude oil, resulting in a cleaner and more refined fuel compared to heavy fuel oils (HFO).
- Low Sulfur Content: MGO naturally has a low sulfur content, typically 0.1% or less (Ultra Low Sulfur Fuel Oil - ULSFO), making it fully compliant with strict Emission Control Area (ECA) regulations and the IMO's global 0.5% sulfur cap without requiring exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers).
- Low Viscosity: MGO has low viscosity, meaning it flows easily and requires minimal or no heating before use or storage, simplifying onboard handling and storage systems.
- High Ignition Quality: It has a good cetane index (min 40 for DMA), which ensures reliable ignition and efficient combustion in marine diesel engines.
- Cleaner Combustion: Burning MGO produces significantly lower emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx), particulate matter, and black carbon compared to residual fuels, which contributes to reduced engine deposits and maintenance costs.
- Safety: It has a minimum flash point of 60°C (except for DMX at 43°C), meeting international safety requirements for storage and handling onboard vessels.
- Versatility: MGO is suitable for both main propulsion engines (especially medium- and high-speed engines) and auxiliary power systems across various vessel types, including ferries, naval ships, and cruise liners.