While praised for cutting emissions and improving cetane levels, another incentive that may draw fleets to renewable and biodiesel is the potential rise in ultra-low sulfur diesel prices this year brought on by mandated maritime use.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) ruled that starting on Jan. 1 vessels traveling in international waters would have to reduce sulfur emissions by over 80 percent. Increased demands on ULSD used in on-highway diesel engines are expected to put upward pressure on prices.