The implementation of low-sulphur, so-called modified marine fuels into operation requires prior laboratory engine tests to assess the energy, emission and structural effects of their usage. This type of research are carried out on the test bed of a diesel engine as a small-scale physical model that reproduces the adequate design and process (parametric) features of a full-size marine engine. Their key stage is to determine the energy characteristics of the engine in the steady state of operation determined on the basis of the analysis of the developed indicator diagram and the dynamic characteristics of the transient processes from idling to the reference steady state of load - and vice versa. In this way, the basic diagnostic parameters of the fuel usable quality are determined: the rate of pressure increase in the cylinder and the average deceleration of the engine crankshaft within the strenuous transient process. This article presents representative results of this type of research carried out on six different, low-sulphur marine fuels used to feed marine engines.