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Castrol Marine News

18 Dec 2015

Global Shipbuilding to Turn Around in 2017: Castrol

Despite a marginal deterioration in the growth outlook for the global shipbuilding industry, annualized five-year growth rates for the sector are still forecast to reach a healthy 3 to 5%, before picking up substantially after 2017, says Castrol Marine Trade Barometer. The Barometer predicts that growth will be driven largely by the Asia-Pacific region, but also Latin America and the Middle East. All European nations but the Netherlands face a downward trend until 2017. Mandhir Singh, COO at Castrol, says, “The main growth in shipbuilding will come from AsiaPacific countries to 2019. These nations are well positioned to supply ultra-large vessels, which shipping companies are increasingly demanding for their fuel efficiency and economies of scale.

16 Jun 2014

BP Marine to Migrate Marine Lubricant to Castrol

Consolidation will provide marine customers with a simpler and more consistent product offering. Global lubricants manufacturer, Castrol, has announced that it will become the sole brand for the BP group’s marine lubricant offering. The decision to consolidate the marine lubricants offerings that are currently provided under both BP Marine and Castrol Marine brands will create a single product and service portfolio that will provide greater simplicity and efficiency for customers.

11 Dec 2013

EPA’s Vessel General Permit (VGP) & You

Nothing stirs the maritime pot like new regulation, and coming soon to you (in less than a month) is the new iteration of the Vessel General Permit (VGP). The VGP applies to vessels operating in a capacity as a means of transportation, that have discharges incidental to their normal operations into waters subject to this permit, except recreational vessels. Unless otherwise excluded from coverage, the waters subject to this permit means “territorial seas” of the U.S. The Clean Water Act (CWA) does not require NPDES permits for vessels or other floating craft operating as a means of transportation beyond the territorial seas, such as in the contiguous zone or ocean. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a replacement VGP permit under its authority from the CWA.

02 Dec 2013

Castrol Cyltech CL 100 Targets Corrosion Control

Castrol Marine has announced it will launch Castrol Cyltech CL 100 ACC in May 2014. The Next Generation cylinder oil represents Castrol’s considered technical response to the corrosion issues that can arise in modern two stroke marine engines, especially when ships are slow steaming. Castrol Cyltech CL 100 ACC (Advanced Corrosion Control) is a newly formulated 100BN lubricant developed for the latest generation of engines. Its introduction to the portfolio follows rigorous testing and trials of new ACC technology that drew on Castrol’s early identification of corrosion in the latest engine types when running on higher sulphur content fuels at part load.

11 Sep 2013

Castrol Secures Environmental Acceptance

Less than six months before the U.S. Vessel General Permit takes effect, Castrol Marine is working with owners to ensure they are truly compliant within definitions set out for ‘Environmentally Acceptable Lubricant’ in U.S. waters. From December 2013, new requirements come into effect covering the substances deemed acceptable for discharge by ships in US waters. Few operators, perhaps, will be fully aware of what the revised ‘Vessel General Permit’ (VGP) means when it identifies “Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants” (EAL).

21 Jun 2013

Wärtsilä Advice Confirms Castrol Concerns on Single Oils

Castrol Marine said it has welcomed new guidance from Wärtsilä that undermines claims that mid-range base number (BN) oils represent a single cylinder oil solution for marine two-stroke engines. The advice confirms Castrol’s long-held concerns that using mid-range BN cylinder oils with higher sulphur fuels when slow steaming could lead to cold corrosion. The engine major has withdrawn approval for mid-range (50-60BN) cylinder oils when used with many marine engines running on Heavy Fuel Oil of above 2.5% sulphur content. New ‘letters of no objection’ to suppliers limit use of mid-range BN oils on all “Wärtsilä RTA, RT-fl ex and W-X engines as well as Sulzer two-stroke engines” to HFO whose sulphur content is “in the range 0.5<S<2.5 mass %”.

17 May 2013

Castrol Marine Extends Cyltech 80 AW Availability

”We have responded to increasing demand from our customers for wider availability of our Cyltech 80 AW cylinder oil by expanding the supply network from five to 35 ports in key regions,” said David Goosey, Castrol Marine’s Chief Executive and Sales Director. Ports where customers will be able to book supplies will now take in major trading centers, including Antwerp, Rotterdam, Le Havre, Marseille, Hamburg, Bremen, Kiel, Singapore, Port Klang, Busan, Ulsan, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Fujairah, Dubai, Jebel Ali and Khor Fakkan. Castrol’s recommendation that owners adopt Cyltech 80 AW was initially prompted to address the implementation of slow steaming practices by operators of large containerships fitted with large bore 2-stroke crosshead main engines.

10 Apr 2013

Castrol Challenges Scavenge Drain Oil Analysis Methodology

Concerns over corrosive wear risk in cross-head engines led Castrol Marine to question the rigour of some widely used scavenge drain oil analysis (SDA ) techniques. Factors influencing scavenge drain oil characteristics include fuel sulphur level, cylinder oil BN level, system oil contamination and operating profile. Accuracy is critical in SDA interpretation, not least because it supports feed-rate assumptions that are critical to cylinder oil performance, Castrol said. “It is not possible to analyze results accurately without comprehensive knowledge of the fuel oil, the new and used system oil, feed rates and operational data collected from the engine at the time of sampling,” said Paul Harrold, Castrol Marine Technology Manager.

23 Nov 2012

Castrol, MAN, Sing Off Same Lube Oil Song-sheet

MAN Diesel & Turbo supports Castrol’s advice that misapplication of mid-range base number (BN) cylinder oils can cause corrosion. Castrol inform that the engine manufacturer recently issued service letters that recommend “cylinder lube oil with 70BN or higher” for latest generation super long stroke engines using higher sulphur fuel (above 1.5%-2%). MAN says it “cannot recommend” cylinder oils “with a BN level between 50 and 60” for these engines. Ship-owners have been persuaded to try a host of new mid-range lubricants on the basis that they offer a solution across the range of sulphur content in fuel oil, including during slow steaming operations.

07 Jun 2012

Castrol Marine Extends Cylinder Oil Range

Castrol Marine has extended its cylinder oil range to address concerns about engine damage and performance as slow steaming and fuel sulphur content restrictions bite. The specialized marine lubricant supplier has launched Cyltech 80 AW, an 80 BN (base number) cylinder oil. The Cyltech range has been developed for optimum engine protection in 2-stroke crosshead engines and specifically to match engine performance with the demands of varying sulphur fuels and the impact of slow steaming.

11 May 2012

Castrol Goes Further on Cylinder Lubricant Choice

Drawing on OEM reports and its own engine performance tests, Castrol Marine has strengthened its conviction that optimum performance, when slow steaming, can only be achieved by having a range of cylinder oils available for the customer. content and low feed-rates. to those vessels regularly slow steaming, to ensure piston ring packs and liners remain in excellent condition. “The idea of a single, mid range cylinder oil solution for all vessels as sulphur limits are reduced may be seductive…

05 Nov 2011

Castrol Calls for Clarity on Polar Lubricants Usage

As Polar shipping movements increase, Castrol Marine suggests that greater attention should be paid to the environmental credentials of lubricants used on board in applications where there is a risk of leakages and discharges. Growing demand for effective shipping routes and cruises to previously inaccessible destinations has led vessels into increasingly sensitive marine areas. Exemplary is the increasing amount of seaborne traffic beginning to move along the Siberian coast. There are also hopes of opening up more of the North West Passage above Canada. The Northern Sea Route voyage is one-third of the distance of traditional routes through the Suez Canal, bringing with it lower fuel costs.

23 Jun 2011

Castrol Marine Renews IMarEST Membership

Castrol Marine has renewed its Corporate Membership of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology’s (IMarEST) Marine Partners initiative. Fiona Morris, Acting Chief Executive of IMarEST, praised "Sea Your Future - a Guide to Marine Careers": a comprehensive assessment tool engineered by Castrol, which consists of eleven multi-level technical training modules designed to improve crew skills and knowledge levels. From Ship Types to Used Oil Analysis, the training covers key areas of the marine industry ensuring greater crew capability. Castrol Academy combines traditional print-based modules, with interactive DVDs and online assessment. The renewed partnership will see Castrol Academy modules available through IMarEST.

24 May 2011

Castrol Marine Supplies ISP

Castrol Marine has announced it is supplying environmentally responsible lubricants to International Shipping Partners (ISP), a global cruise ship management company. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, ISP offers ship owners a broad range of comprehensive passengership management services. ISP is the only dedicated passengership manager in the world to receive the industry’s highest quality assurance certification, the InterManager Quality Assurance Certificate. The agreement covers the use of Castrol BioStat, a range of stern tube lubricant grades formulated to deliver enhanced performance and reduced environmental impact when compared to conventional mineral oil equivalents.

23 May 2011

Castrol GreenField Takes Environmental Lead

GreenField lubricants from Castrol Offshore are likely to remain the only products fully tested to environmentally-responsible standards set by Norwegian authorities through 2011. Changes to Norwegian Activities Regulations introduced on January 1st 2010 require discharged lubricants and chemicals, used in closed systems in amounts of more than 3000kg a year per facility, to be registered for use offshore. Applications including crane hydraulics, thrusters, drilling system hydraulics and mooring winch gears, require Harmonised Offshore Chemicals Notification Format (HOCNF) registered products. Castrol Offshore proactively registered its products before the January 1st 2010 deadline.

16 May 2011

IMarEST Welcomes Castrol Marine's Marine Partner Status

Castrol Marine has renewed the Corporate Membership of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology’s (IMarEST) Marine Partners initiative. “If there is one thing better than acquiring a new member of the Marine Partner scheme, it is news that a long-time partner is renewing its relationship with us,” says Fiona Morris, Interim Chief Executive of IMarEST. “It is extremely stimulating working with Castrol Marine, and we are delighted that we will be doing so for another year.

05 Apr 2011

Castrol Academy Recognised by Det Norske Veritas

Castrol Marine’s Castrol Academy, the training tool comprising eleven technical modules, has now been recognised by the Norwegian classification society Det Norske Veritas. Lars Markusson, Project manager at DNV said: “Castrol Academy, among others, plays a vital role in furthering maritime skills and expertise and will increasingly play a major role on the international stage as the maritime industries emerge from recession and seek to expand. Luigi Tedesco, Castrol Marine Sales Director added: “This recognition from DNV, one of the world’s leading classification societies, underscores Castrol Marine’s commitment to providing the highest training standards in this crucial era for the global maritime industry.

07 Feb 2011

Port of Cork Uses Castrol’s Environmentally Responsible Lubricants

Port of Cork has turned to Castrol Marine to further reduce its environmental footprint and protect the sensitive waters in which it operates. Castrol Marine’s Bio Range of environmentally-responsible lubricants are designed for use throughout a vessel where leakage presents a risk. The agreements cover the use of Castrol BioBar 46, a high specification, environmentally responsible hydraulic oil, which is being used in two key Port of Cork vessels, the Multi-cat work boat M.V. Denis Murphy and the tug boat M.V. Gerry O’Sullivan. M.V. Denis Murphy, one of four vessels of its kind in Ireland, is in high demand throughout Ireland and the UK. Its basic functions include towing, plough dredging, buoy handling and anchor handling.

17 Dec 2009

India & China at Posidonia 2010

India and China have pledged their largest presence at the next Posidonia, a shipping forum to be held at the 31,000 square metre, one-level Hellenikon Exhibition Centre from 7-11 June 2010. “Every two years Posidonia is the barometre of global shipping trends reflecting the sector’s pace of growth and prevailing sentiments in boardrooms across key shipping markets worldwide,” said Nana Michael, Managing Director, Posidonia Events S.A. “At Posidonia 2010, the world’s maritime community will examine the impact of the global financial meltdown on seaborne trade, ports, logistics and newbuildings,” she said. “With its first-ever National…

17 Mar 2008

Green Ships: Politicians Ready if Industry Not

More than 190 participants at the 5th annual Green Ship Technology conference in Rotterdam on March 11-12 explored the latest tide of ‘stick and carrot’ options for making shipping environmentally sustainable. Eco-friendly solutions aired at the forum ranged from legislative compulsion to commercially beneficial inducements. On the one hand, there were stark warnings that politicians are preparing to impose mandatory emissions rules if there is no firm outcome to meetings of the International Maritime Organization marine environment protection committee (MEPC) scheduled between now and mid-2009. But delegates also heard how a voluntary…

06 Oct 2003

Unitor and BP Marine to Dissolve The Marine Alliance

Unitor ASA and BP Marine, who co-founded The Marine Alliance B.V. joint venture three years ago, have now decided to dissolve this partnership and focus individually on their respective customers’ requirements. The transition will commence early October and will be completed by 1 January 2004. After that date, Unitor and BP Marine will each provide their own customer services. The Marine Alliance was established to deliver improved customer services (order processing, sales support, technical support and credit management services) to its founders. Since its formation, the organisation has evolved to reflect changing business needs, delivering improvements in service levels and customer satisfaction.