ANP Marine supplies all refrigerant types to commercial vessels, offshore platforms and fishing fleets worldwide. From HFC and HFO gases to compressor oils and accessories — with full F-Gas compliance expertise and 24/7 technical support.
A practical reference for fleet managers and technical superintendents. GWP values are CO₂-equivalent over 100 years (AR5). Regulatory status reflects current position under EU F-Gas Regulation 2024/573 and MARPOL Annex VI.
| Refrigerant | Type | GWP (100yr) | ODP | Typical Marine Applications | Regulatory Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R22 (HCFC-22) | HCFC | 1,810 | 0.055 | Legacy AC, chillers, provision plants. Still widespread on older fishing vessels and cargo ships | Banned — new use MARPOL Annex VI prohibits new installations. Existing systems may operate but refrigerant supply restricted |
| R134a (HFC-134a) | HFC | 1,430 | 0 | Air conditioning, provision stores, small chillers, transport refrigeration | Phase-down Still permitted for service. Under quota pressure from 2025 onwards |
| R404A | HFC blend | 3,922 | 0 | Low-temperature provision stores, fish hold refrigeration, freezer plants | Restricted Virgin gas banned for service of existing systems from Jan 2025 (EU). Reclaimed gas permitted until 2030 |
| R507 (R507A) | HFC blend | 3,985 | 0 | Low-temperature cargo refrigeration, fishing vessel freezer systems | Restricted Same restrictions as R404A. GWP >2500 — virgin gas service ban from Jan 2025 |
| R407C | HFC blend | 1,774 | 0 | Air conditioning, chillers, HVAC systems aboard passenger vessels | Phase-down Permitted for service. Under EU quota phase-down. Considered transition refrigerant |
| R410A | HFC blend | 2,088 | 0 | Modern AC and heat pump systems, VRF systems, passenger vessel HVAC | Phase-down Permitted for service. New equipment bans from 2025 in some categories. Transition planning required |
| R448A | HFO/HFC blend | 1,387 | 0 | Drop-in replacement for R404A/R507 in provision stores and low-temp refrigeration | Compliant Low-GWP HFO blend. Recommended transition refrigerant for legacy R404A systems |
| R449A | HFO/HFC blend | 1,397 | 0 | Medium and low-temperature commercial refrigeration, provision plant conversions | Compliant Suitable R404A/R507 replacement. Good energy efficiency profile |
| R455A | HFO/HFC blend | 148 | 0 | Low-temperature refrigeration, freezer plants, emerging marine applications | Future-proof Very low GWP. A2L mildly flammable — installation and safety assessment required |
| R454B | HFO/HFC blend | 466 | 0 | Air conditioning systems, replacement for R410A in HVAC | Future-proof Leading R410A replacement. A2L rated — requires safety compliance assessment onboard |
| R32 | HFC | 675 | 0 | Modern AC and VRF systems, heat pumps, smaller HVAC units | Compliant Low-GWP single component. A2L rated. Increasingly used in modern marine AC systems |
| R744 (CO₂) | Natural | 1 | 0 | Cascade systems, fishing vessel CO₂ plants, emerging marine applications | Compliant Near-zero GWP. High-pressure system — specialist engineering required |
* GWP values per IPCC AR5 100-year assessment. ODP = Ozone Depletion Potential relative to R11. Regulatory status correct as of 2025/2026. Contact ANP Marine for current compliance guidance specific to your vessel's flag state.
ANP Marine's complete refrigerant GWP reference charts. Click to open full size. GWP values stated according to the 4th IPCC assessment and EU 517/2014.
Marine refrigerant compliance spans international maritime law and regional environmental regulation. Non-compliance can result in port state control deficiencies, detention and significant financial penalties.
MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 12 governs ozone-depleting substances (ODS) aboard ships. It prohibits the deliberate emissions of ODS including CFCs, HCFCs and halons, and requires that all systems containing ODS are maintained to prevent leakage.
Key requirements for vessels:
The revised EU F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573, in force from 11 March 2024, significantly accelerates the phase-down of HFCs and introduces new product bans. It targets an 80% reduction in HFCs by 2030 and full phase-out by 2050.
Both MARPOL and F-Gas regulation impose detailed record-keeping obligations. Inadequate documentation is one of the most common causes of port state control deficiencies related to refrigeration systems.
The IMO's revised GHG Strategy targets net-zero emissions from international shipping by 2050. While refrigerants are not the primary focus, they contribute to a vessel's overall carbon footprint and are increasingly scrutinised by charterers, cargo owners and classification societies.
Plan ahead — the phase-down accelerates significantly from 2025 onwards. Contact ANP Marine now to audit your fleet and transition before supply restrictions bite.
Selecting the correct lubricant and using the right chemicals during service is as critical as choosing the right refrigerant. Using an incompatible oil can cause compressor failure within hours. ANP Marine supplies a full range of refrigeration-grade oils and system chemicals for all refrigerant types and vessel applications.
| Oil Type | Full Name | Compatible Refrigerants | Key Properties | Marine Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POE | Polyol Ester | HFCs (R134a, R404A, R410A, R407C, R448A, R449A), HFOs, R744 (CO₂) | Excellent miscibility with HFC/HFO refrigerants. Hygroscopic — sensitive to moisture contamination. High thermal stability. Widely used in modern systems | Provision plants, AC systems, chillers, VRF units. The standard lubricant for all modern HFC and HFO marine refrigeration systems |
| Mineral Oil | Naphthenic / Paraffinic Mineral Oil | R22 (HCFC), R12 (CFC legacy), R744 (CO₂) with specialist formulation | Good miscibility with HCFC and CFC refrigerants. Not compatible with HFCs or HFOs. Less hygroscopic than POE. Lowest cost option. Good low-temperature flow | Legacy R22 systems still in service. Older provision plants and HVAC units aboard cargo and fishing vessels. Must be changed to POE when converting to HFC refrigerants |
| AB | Alkylbenzene | R22 (HCFC), CFC refrigerants, some hydrocarbon refrigerants | Better thermal stability than mineral oil. Miscible with HCFCs. Less hygroscopic than POE. Bridges mineral oil and full synthetic. Still used in some CO₂ cascade systems | Older HCFC systems, low-temperature applications where moisture sensitivity is a concern. Common in fishing vessel refrigeration |
| PAO | Poly-Alpha Olefin | R744 (CO₂), some hydrocarbon refrigerants | Excellent thermal and oxidation stability. Not hygroscopic. High viscosity index. Not suitable for HFC or HFO systems. Often blended with mineral oil | CO₂ cascade systems, high-pressure applications, some industrial marine refrigeration plants |
| PAG | Polyalkylene Glycol | R744 (CO₂), some HFO systems, automotive AC | High lubricity and thermal stability. Highly hygroscopic — requires careful handling. Good flow at low temperatures. Not interchangeable with POE | CO₂ refrigeration systems, some specialist marine AC applications. Less common in general marine refrigeration |
| PVE | Polyvinyl Ether | Certain HFO refrigerants (R1234yf, R1234ze) | Good compatibility with low-GWP HFO refrigerants. Moderate hygroscopicity. Commonly used in Japanese-manufactured refrigeration equipment | Systems using HFO refrigerants where manufacturer specifies PVE. Emerging use as HFO adoption increases in marine HVAC |
⚠ Never mix different oil types. Mixing POE, PAO, mineral oil or PAG can cause chemical reactions producing acids and sludge, leading to compressor failure. Always flush the system thoroughly when changing oil type during refrigerant conversion.
Filter driers remove moisture, acid and particulate contamination from the refrigerant circuit. Marine-grade filter driers use molecular sieve desiccant rated for high humidity environments. They must be replaced whenever a system is opened or during refrigerant conversion. ANP Marine stocks filter driers for all major system types and charge sizes.
UV fluorescent dye is introduced into the refrigerant circuit and circulates with the lubricating oil. Any refrigerant leak causes dye to accumulate at the leak point, visible under UV light. Compatible dyes must be selected for the specific refrigerant and oil type in the system. POE-compatible and mineral-oil compatible variants are available. ANP Marine supplies injection kits and UV lamps for onboard leak detection.
When converting a system from one refrigerant type to another — particularly from HCFC or HFC to HFO — a thorough system flush is required to remove residual mineral or alkylbenzene oil contamination. Specialist non-ozone-depleting flush agents are used to clean pipework, heat exchangers and compressor internals before new oil and refrigerant are introduced. ANP Marine engineers use approved flush agents as part of all retrofit conversion work.
Moisture contamination in a refrigerant circuit reacts with POE oils to form acids, causing copper plating, valve damage and compressor wear. Acid neutraliser additives (acid scavengers) can be introduced to systems showing signs of acid contamination to prevent further damage while a full service is planned. ANP Marine can advise on acid contamination assessment and appropriate treatment for your system.
Dry nitrogen is essential for pressure testing, leak testing and purging refrigeration systems during maintenance and commissioning. It displaces moisture and air contamination from open circuits before charging. ANP Marine supplies dry nitrogen in cylinders for use during service work, available with your refrigerant order or as a standalone supply to port.
Refrigerant identifier analysers allow engineers to confirm the exact refrigerant type in a system before service — essential when working on vessels with incomplete records or suspected refrigerant cross-contamination. Oil acid test kits provide rapid onboard assessment of oil condition and contamination level. ANP Marine can supply both as part of a planned maintenance kit or as standalone items.
When converting a system from R22 (mineral or AB oil) to an HFC or HFO refrigerant (POE oil), the system must be thoroughly flushed and the oil changed. Residual mineral oil in an HFC system reduces lubricant miscibility, causes oil logging in evaporators and can lead to compressor failure. ANP Marine engineers carry out full oil changes and system flushes as a standard part of all refrigerant conversion work. Never simply top up with a new refrigerant without addressing the oil.
ANP Marine is a one-stop partner for refrigerant supply, compliance, retrofit conversions and ongoing technical support. Delivered globally, backed by engineers who have worked aboard vessels.
All refrigerant types supplied worldwide — HFCs, HFOs, HCFCs (for existing systems), natural refrigerants and blends. Cylinders, drums or bulk. Delivered to any port with ship's agent coordination and customs clearance support.
ANP Marine engineers carry out full refrigerant conversions — from legacy R22 and R404A systems to modern low-GWP alternatives. Includes system assessment, compressor oil change, filter drier replacement, flushing, charging and commissioning.
Fleet-wide compliance audits covering refrigerant type, charge size, GWP classification, leak check frequency, ODS Record Book status and F-Gas certification. We identify exposure and provide a prioritised action plan.
Safe recovery and disposal of legacy refrigerants including R22, R404A and R507. Reclaimed refrigerant can be used to extend the life of existing systems where virgin gas is restricted, maximising the value of your existing equipment.
Compatible compressor lubricants for all refrigerant types — POE, PAO and mineral oils. Filter driers, leak detection equipment, charging hoses and accessories. Sourced from leading manufacturers and supplied with your refrigerant order.
Our ICE AI assistant provides instant technical guidance on refrigerant selection, system compatibility and compliance questions at any hour. For complex situations, qualified ANP Marine engineers are available 24/7 by telephone.
From January 2025, virgin R404A with GWP ≥ 2,500 is banned for servicing existing refrigeration equipment under EU F-Gas Regulation 2024/573. However, reclaimed or recycled R404A may still be used until 1 January 2030. After that, the system will need to be converted to a low-GWP alternative. ANP Marine can supply reclaimed R404A and advise on conversion timing for your fleet.
The most widely used drop-in alternatives are R448A and R449A — both HFO/HFC blends with GWP around 1,387–1,397. They are compatible with most existing R404A compressors and components, though a compressor oil change, filter drier replacement and thorough system assessment are required. ANP Marine engineers carry out these conversions regularly on provision plants and cargo refrigeration systems.
EU F-Gas Regulation directly applies to EU-flagged vessels and equipment placed on the EU market. However, vessels calling at EU ports are increasingly subject to scrutiny, and many classification societies and charterers are requiring compliance regardless of flag state. We recommend treating F-Gas compliance as a global operational standard rather than a regional one.
Under EU F-Gas Regulation, leak check frequency depends on system charge size in CO₂-equivalent tonnes. Systems with 5–50 tonnes CO₂-eq require annual checks; 50–500 tonnes require checks every six months; above 500 tonnes, every three months. Systems with approved leak detection equipment installed have doubled intervals. ANP Marine can calculate your system's CO₂-eq charge and advise on the required inspection schedule.
Yes. ANP Marine coordinates refrigerant delivery to over 150 ports worldwide, including remote locations. We work with local ship's agents to arrange customs clearance, port delivery and vessel boarding. In emergency situations, we can arrange airfreight of smaller quantities with rapid port delivery. Contact our team with your vessel's next port call and ETA and we will arrange supply accordingly.
Vessels should carry: an ODS Record Book (mandatory under MARPOL Annex VI for systems containing ODS); refrigerant charge records for each system (type, quantity, date of charge/recovery); leak check records with dates and findings; service reports from all maintenance work; and equipment labels showing refrigerant type and charge weight. ANP Marine provides compliant service documentation following all work carried out on your systems.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) is a broad category of fluorinated compounds under increasing regulatory scrutiny in Europe. Many HFO refrigerants technically fall within PFAS definitions. While current refrigerant-specific regulation does not restrict HFOs under PFAS rules, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is monitoring the sector. ANP Marine tracks regulatory developments and can advise on how emerging PFAS regulation may affect your fleet's refrigerant choices in the medium term.
A structured transition starts with a fleet audit — identifying every system, its refrigerant type, charge size, age and condition. ANP Marine can carry out this audit and produce a prioritised conversion plan aligned with your drydock schedule, port call patterns and regulatory deadlines. We then manage the supply of replacement refrigerants, carry out conversions and provide updated compliance documentation. Contact us to discuss a fleet transition programme.
Whether you need refrigerant delivered to your next port call, a compliance audit for your fleet, or a full system conversion — ANP Marine has the expertise and global reach to support you. Our team responds within the hour.