Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Changing regulatory and technological frameworks put pressure on luboil companies. Monitoring and Digitalization have become hot topics. In the run-up to SMM, high-ranking industry delegates discussed future challenges in the field of lubricants
At a time when shipping faces operational, technical, regulatory and economic challenges in its selection and use of marine lubricants[ds_preview], the Shell Marine Round Table, organized by Riviera Maritime Media and with HANSA invited exclusively as German partner, offered an opportunity for industry stakeholders to exchange information and views in an open forum. Main topics were the operational, technical and economic issues around marine lubricants, R&D and technical service challenges such as cold corrosion and wear rates, cylinder condition and how to use digital data. Other topics discussed by the specially-selected audience of key ship owners, main engine suppliers and insurance providers were management of marine lubrication challenges through reducing complexity and supplementary training to compensate for crew skill levels as well as innovation.»The pressure is increasing. That’s one of the main challenges for the luboil companies,« said Jesper M. Pedersen, Superintendent Engineer, MAN Diesel & Turbo. Axel Schulz, Technical Director at Columbia Shipmanagement, suggested cylinder oil lubrication needed to be more simple in the development because a lot of crew members were less well trained. In terms of big data, the experts saw the best way a combination of data from laboratory and onboard analyses as the best way of finding out what is the best lubricant for the engine. Konrad Räss, Senior Manager, Materials & Tribology at Winterthur Gas & Diesel, asked if the shipping industry was willing to invest in online concepts.

On behalf of Shell, Jan Toschka, Global General Manager, Shell Marine, Jens Moeller and Jose-Luis Garcia, Marine & Power Lubricants Development Manager, Shell Global Solutions, attended the round table.Further participants were i.a. Maximilian Schröder (shipowner NSB), Sven Fröhn­drich (Columbus Shipmanagement) and Dieter Grundmann (shipowner Oskar Wehr).

Led by Shell Marine, the forum also offered a timely opportunity to share views on the right approach to blending cylinder oils of different base numbers on board ships. At SMM, Shell previewed its revitalised LubeMonitor Service, a cylinder monitoring service. According to the company the revamped service will be simpler, faster and better, through a new software package called Marine Connect, which is designed to enhance data management and reporting functions. It offers easy to read reports, a complete engine overview, historical onboard and lab data, and most importantly highlights areas of concern or possible optimisation opportunities.

»Is the shipping industry willing to invest in online concepts?«

Konrad Räss, WinGD

The new automated cylinder oil mixing (ACOM) system was also part of the discussion. It was designed to simplify the lubrication aspect of fuel switching. It was said that Shell and MAN Diesel & Turbo had done tests for more than 3,500 hours for a mix of 100 BN (base number) and 25 BN marine lubricants. Another test is planned immediately with the mix of 140 BN and 25 BN product on a more demanding engine than that used in the first test.

Only three days after the Round Table, Shell presented the new lubricant Shell Alexia 140, an ultra-high BN oil with a BN of 140. It is targeted for use on its own or as part of an onboard lubricant blending or mixing system. »We are responding rapidly to the changing needs of the industry, helping our customers to cope with their full range of operating conditions,« said Toschka. »This latest development underpins our commitment to the industry and its future. We have our own in house testing capability and extensive field experience, coupled with the monitoring, analysis and advisory services to respond to the market with proven and comprehensive solutions.« According to Shell major OEMs now recommend cylinder drain oil analysis as a way for ship owners to optimise feed rates as it allows them to strike the right balance between corrosion protection and minimised oil consumption,« added Toschka.

He continued: »Shell Marine is focusing on solutions that are operationally straightforward. These include cylinder oil condition monitoring and drain oil analysis, the software and advisory services that help to interpret and implement OEM requirements, and assisting ship operators to develop crew skills as well as knowledge. In all areas, our objective is to work with the customer to deliver the most reliable solution.«


TWG