Quadrise Fuels International (QFI), the developer of the low-cost synthetic MSAR fuel oil, announced that it has closed contracts linked to its sea trials with shipping giant AP Møller-Mærsk.
The upshot is that the marine version of the MSAR 2 fuel will now be put through final ‘proof of concept’ and performance evaluations on two main engine types. Thorough assessments of the test results to date have already been conducted, involving reputable third parties such as engine manufacturers Wartsila and MAN Diesel, in addition to Lloyds Register, the American Bureau of Shipping and the Danish Maritime Authority. Subject to the outcome of the final evaluation, Quadrise will start producing commercial quantities of the fuel in 2014 from the 1,000 tonne per day MSAR manufacturing unit at the Orlen Lietuva refinery in Lithuania. Aside from the Baltic refiner, AkzoNobel Surface & Formulation Chemistry AB has also been involved in the production process for MSAR through the development of bolt-on units for refineries.