DUE TO VARIETY OF FUEL FRACTIONS AVAILABLE FROM REFINERIES FOR BUNKER FUEL PRODUCTIONS, LARGE VARIATIONS IN THE IGNITION AND COMBUSTION PROPERTIES OF MARINE FUELS ARE BEING OBSERVED, THESEIMPORTANT FUEL PROPERTIES ARE UPUNTIL TO DAY NEITHER CONTROLLED THROUGH THE TRADITIONAL MARINE FUEL TESTING SERVICES AVAILABLE NOR INTRODUCED IN THE FUEL SPECIFICATIONS.EX PERIENCE SHOWS HOWEVER.THAT IN ORDER TO INCREASE SAFETY AND REDUCE OFF-HIRE TIME DUE TO ENGINE DAMAGE,CONTROLLING THE IGNITION AND COMBUSTION QUALITY OF MARINE FUELS GETTING IN CREA SINGLY IMPORTANT. OTHER IMPORTANT ASPECTS TO BE ADDED ARE EXHAUST EMISSIONS,GENERAL MAINTENANCE COST AND FUEL COMBUSTION