After
breakfast I met the chief engineer on the gangway, and he asked me if I still
want to make a tour to the engine etc. Of course, I said yes but honestly, I
must tell you that I had forgotten that date. Luckily, we had met on time and
so it didn’t become embarrassing.
We went down to the engine-“Cathedral” and although I had seen that before (see
day 105) it was impressing again. I learned that in 2020, the heavy fuel oil
HFO with 3,5% Sulphur (~400$/ton) will be forbidden. ECA oil (Emission control
area) that now is obligatory in some areas and ports has 0,1% Sulphur and costs
around 670$/ton. So, the prices for the new oil will be clearly higher than now
and he expects higher prices for consumers. But the new oil also has some
advantages, for examples there is less pre-heating necessary. Now the oil must be
heated up to 140°C to be liquid enough. From those technical and economic
impacts, it was a small step to politics and so, we discussed Bulgarian history
and Turkish, American and Russian influence on Europe, but it was more shouting
than talking, because also in the engine control room it is very noisy.
In early evening Puccini made the turn from West to North which means that the swell reaches the ship from the side with much bigger effect than before. I am very glad that is didn’t get seasick so far, although I cannot say I feel completely fine…