Tag: marine lubricants

Lubrication oil-related failure is the most common cause of main engine damage and a major contributing factor to auxiliary engine breakdowns, a new publication by The Swedish Club reveals. 

In its monthly Safety Scenario for October, the Swedish Club describes an incident of a ship’s engine failure due to contamination of the lubrication system. An investigation showed that the engine had been operated on a high thermal load for a long time and the turbocharger’s efficiency had been affected by fouling, while the lubrication oil had been contaminated for some time.

The additive chemistries found in traditional marine diesel cylinder lubricants may not suffice for the challenges of handling VLSFO blends, said US-based Lubrizol Corporation in a new white paper, after extensive research into new fuels. 

The South Korean Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) launched its first LNG carrier, equipped with a developed air lubrication system (ALS), which was given to Greek shipowner Maran Gas Maritime.

DNV GL, together with marine insurers The Swedish Club, Norwegian Hull Club, Skuld and Gard have completed a study of the properties of environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs) for stern tube applications, in response to the growing number of stern tube bearing failures recently. In fact, DNV GL sponsored lab tests demonstrating that EALs behave differently than traditional mineral oils under transient pressure and temperature conditions. 

Chevron Marine Lubricants published its new white paper 'The 2020 Global Sulphur Cap and the role of cylinder oil lubricants', exploring the impact of vessels burning fuels with differing sulphur contents to heavy sulphur fuel oil cylinder oil use. The paper also provides recommendations from Chevron's experts on how to manage the transition between cylinder oils pre-and post-2020.

On the sidelines of SMM trade fair in Hamburg, Thordon Bearings published a study highlighting the commercial and environmental benefits of seawater-lubricated propeller shaft bearing arrangements. The study was carried out in response to the increase in oil EAL lubricated sterntube bearing failures.

Marine lubricant choices to address IMO's 2020 sulphur cap must be based on verifiable cylinder oil performance data and engine testing to cover all operating conditions, argued the new General Manager of Shell Marine, Joris Van Brussel.

As the sulphur cap implementation is imminent in less than 18 months, operators need to worry about many issues as well, other than fuel selection only.  In fact, IMO's decision to implement a 0.50 per cent cap on sulphur emissions has created uncertainty amongst vessel operators, notes Mr. John LaRese, Marine Fuels Technical Advisor, ExxonMobil who discusses the needs for lubricants and fuel switching.

Shell Marine’s post-2020 cylinder oil expectations are based on a defined position on marine fuel use after the IMO’s cap on sulphur content comes into play, explains Shell Marine Global Technical Manager, Dr Sara Lawrence.