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>high-sulfur gasoil
High-sulfur gasoil (also known as high-sulfur marine gasoil or HSFO—high-sulfur fuel oil—in some contexts) is a middle-distillate petroleum product with a sulfur content typically above 0.5% by weight (often 1–3.5% before recent regulations). It is primarily used in the following applications:1. Marine Bunker Fuel (Shipping Industry)Main use: Powering large ocean-going vessels (cargo ships, tankers, cruise ships).
Why? It is cheaper than low-sulfur alternatives and provides high energy density.
Regulation note: Since IMO 2020 (International Maritime Organization), global sulfur cap is 0.5% outside Emission Control Areas (ECAs). High-sulfur gasoil (>0.5%) can only be used if the ship has:Exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) to remove SOx emissions, or
Operates in non-ECA regions under specific exemptions.
Still widely used on scrubber-fitted vessels (~30% of global fleet as of 2025).
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Power Generation (in Developing Regions)Used in diesel generators and small power plants in areas with lax emissions rules (e.g., parts of Africa, South Asia, remote islands).
Cheaper than ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD).
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Industrial Heating and BoilersFuel for industrial furnaces, kilns, and steam boilers in refineries, cement plants, or factories where emissions are controlled via stack scrubbers.
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Off-Road and Agricultural Diesel (Legacy Use)Historically used in tractors, construction equipment, and locomotives in regions without strict diesel sulfur standards.
Largely phased out in Australia, EU, US, and Japan in favor of ULSD (≤15 ppm sulfur).
Key PropertiesProperty
Typical Value
Sulfur content
0.5%–3.5% (high-sulfur)
Cetane index
40–50
Density
~850–900 kg/m³
Energy content
~42–43 MJ/kg