Total Lubmarine investing in future proof lubricants

The marine lubricants market is under huge pressure to provide long-term solutions to its ship operating customers and Total Lubmarine is investing in new simple solutions according to Jean-
Philippe Roman, Total Lubmarine’s technical director. Speaking Wednesday 29 November at the Fuels, Lubes & Emissions Technology Conference in London, he outlined Total Lubmarine’s innovative approach to forthcoming regulations in the marine fuels market, in particular developments in emission control zones (ECAs) stipulated by the MARPOL Annex VI directive that will enter into force in 2015.

 “From a customer’s point of view, a good lubricant is a lubricant which offers both improved performance and is simple to use. Low sulphur fuels and eco-engines throw up many challenges to lubricant suppliers and Total Lubmarine is committed to investing in the chemistry that will deliver the simpler oil lubricants in the future,” said Jean-Philippe Roman. Total Lubmarine has been pro-active in developing solutions to the soon-to-be enforced ECA regulations within its specialist sector of marine lubricants, anticipating the change and complexity that will be conferred on ship owners and managers.

As of January 2015, ships in the world’s ECA areas will be required by law to burn fuel with a sulphur content of less than 0.1 percent. Ship engines up until this point in time have burnt two types of fuel, high sulphur heavy fuel oil (HS HFO) and low sulphur heavy fuel oil (LS HFO). They will soon be consuming distillate fuels with a sulphur content of less than 0.1 percent and this change will necessitate the use of new engine lubricants that can maintain efficient operation and maintain cleanliness.