Distillate Marine Fuel is a grade specification for marine fuels. The “D” stands for “distillate,” and the “MA” refers to a specific category within distillate fuels. This categorization comes from the International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 8217 standard, which classifies marine fuels based on their properties and intended uses.

DMA is a type of Marine Gas Oil (MGO) and contains very low sulfur content. Suitable for most marine engines, DMA is known for its cleaner combustion, consistent performance, and ability to reduce emissions when compared to heavier, residual marine fuels. DMA fuels are primarily used in Category 3 marine engines or those with more than five liters per cylinder. This type of fuel is also commonly referred to as LSMGO, which stands for Low-Sulfur Marine Gas Oil. The naming emphasizes its low sulfur content, making it a preferred choice in regions with stringent environmental regulations.

The primary use of VLSFO is in the maritime sector, powering large vessels across the globe. Before the IMO 2020 regulation, most ships used High Sulfur Fuel Oil (HSFO) due to its lower cost. With the new regulation in effect, ships now have to switch to VLSFO, Marine Gas Oil (MGO), or install scrubbers to continue using HSFO while complying with the sulfur emission standards.
VLSFO has become the preferred choice for many due to its lower fuel cost compared to MGO and less complex implementation compared to fitting scrubbers.