Short answer: ISO 8217 is the international standard that sets the requirements for petroleum and bio-based marine fuels. It defines distillate grades (such as DMA, DMZ and DMB) and residual grades (such as RMG 380), with limits for properties like viscosity, density, sulphur, flash point, water, sediment and cat fines. The current edition is ISO 8217:2024, but many contracts still specify ISO 8217:2017.
Why ISO 8217 matters in a bunker purchase
A bunker contract has to say what is being bought. ISO 8217 provides the common language: a grade designation plus an edition defines a set of limits the fuel must meet. If the delivered fuel fails one of them, the buyer has a basis for a claim. Without a stated grade and edition, quality disputes are much harder to resolve.
How grades are named
- D for distillate, R for residual. The second letter, M, means marine.
- The third letter identifies the grade within the category, for example DMA, DMZ, DMB, or RMD, RME, RMG, RMK.
- For residual grades, the number is the maximum kinematic viscosity at 50°C in mm²/s, for example RMG 380.
Viscosity grade and sulphur are separate. Sulphur limits come from statutory requirements: 0.50% globally under MARPOL Annex VI, 0.10% in emission control areas, with higher sulphur allowed only for ships with approved scrubbers. See VLSFO vs HSFO.
General requirements: more than the table
Besides the limits in its tables, ISO 8217 has general clauses. The fuel must be homogeneous, and must not contain any added substance or chemical waste that would harm the ship’s personnel, damage machinery, or contribute to air pollution. These clauses are the basis of contamination claims where the problem compounds are not listed in the tables.
What changed in ISO 8217:2024
- Biofuels in scope. FAME is permitted up to 100% in the new bio-distillate (DF) grades, and bio-residual blends have their own table. Where 100% FAME is supplied, it should meet EN 14214 or ASTM D6751.
- New table structure. The standard moves from two tables to four: distillate and bio-distillate; residual with sulphur up to 0.50%; bio-residual blends; and residual with sulphur above 0.50%.
- Organic chlorides. A limit on organic chlorides, tested by EN 14077, reflects contamination cases seen in recent years.
- Additional parameters for bio-blends, including FAME content and heating value.
- Distillate cold flow requirements were simplified, and a minimum viscosity was added for residual fuels.
Choosing an edition
Engine makers, owners and charter parties do not all move to a new edition at once. Before you enquire, check the charter party bunker clause and the owner’s specification. If they require ISO 8217:2017, buying to 2024 may not satisfy the contract, and the reverse can also apply. State the edition explicitly in the enquiry and confirm it on the offer.
Testing against ISO 8217
Laboratories test delivery samples against the table for the grade and edition purchased, and interpret results using the test method precision in ISO 4259. See bunker sampling and fuel quality testing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the latest version of ISO 8217?
ISO 8217:2024, published on 30 May 2024. It is the seventh edition and brings biofuel blends into scope. Many contracts still reference ISO 8217:2017.
Does ISO 8217 set the sulphur limit?
ISO 8217 refers to statutory requirements for sulphur. The applicable limit comes from MARPOL Annex VI and local regulations, for example 0.50% globally and 0.10% in emission control areas.