Oil Change News

Training Gen Z in the Marine Industry

Gen Z is looking for a place to fit in the workplace. They are looking for a way to enhance their story while they are making a difference in the world. And you are looking for someone to fill a position. How does your need dovetail with their needs?Before we get into the training aspect, it is worth understanding who you are going to be training. What are your company’s core values? Are the people that you are hiring in line with them?What are core values? They are the beliefs and principles that drive your business.

Clean Crude? Oil Companies use Offsets to Claim Green Barrels

In January, Occidental Petroleum announced it had accomplished something no oil company had done before: It sold a shipload of crude that it said was 100% carbon-neutral.While the two-million-barrel cargo to India was destined to produce more than a million tons of planet-warming carbon over its lifecycle, from well to tailpipe, the Texas-based driller said it had completely offset that impact by purchasing carbon credits under a U.N.-sponsored program called CORSIA.Carbon credits…

Caterpillar Marine Unveils C32B 2433 MHP Engine

Following the launch of the C32B 2025 MHP engine, Caterpillar Marine has announced the release of the new Cat C32B Triple Turbo 2433 MHP (2400BHP) high-performance marine engine, with a rated engine speed of 2,300 rpm.With a 20% increase in power output, the C32B Triple Turbo engine leverages the same core engine upgrades as the C32B 2025 MHP rating while offering additional features and benefits, the manufacturer said. The C32B 3-Turbo is geared toward yachting, sportfishing and governmental applications.Compared to the C32B 2025 MHP model…

Dart Fisher Ready for O&M Work

The provider of of topside, offshore and subsea marine services and solutions James Fisher Marine Services (JFMS) has announced that its innovative offshore support vessel, Dart Fisher, has returned to sea following refurbishment at the Alicat Workboats shipyard in Great Yarmouth.The British provider of marine engineering services provider said in a press note that the £35,000 investment was timed to coincide with up and coming operations and maintenance (O&M) charter requirements to ensure that the Dart Fisher is ready to mobilise at short notice.Scott Plank, marine manager at JFMS, said: “It is vital for James Fisher Marine Services…

USCG Implements Handheld Technology for Onboard Oil Testing

With a motto of Always Ready, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) has 11 missions specified by law including drug and migrant interdiction; ports, waterways and coastal security; fishery patrols; search and rescue; and national defense. The USCG’s newest ships including 22 Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) recently entered service with 36 more on order and six new National Security Cutters (NSCs) with two more in the process of being built. Oil analysis plays a critical role in the…

Onboard Verification of Fuel Sulphur Content

Spot sampling and analysis of a ship’s fuel is becoming increasingly common as a means for port state control officers to verify the actual sulphur content of the fuel in use. The shipping industry is facing increasingly stricter air emission limits all over the world. Ships berthed in EU ports have used marine fuel with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.10 per cent since 1 January 2010. Transport Canada (TC) started to rigorously monitor all ships operating within the Canadian jurisdiction of the North American Emission Control Area (NA-ECA) to ensure they are using fuel containing not more than 0.10 per cent sulphur by mass. A ship may be targeted for a sulphur inspection for various reasons, e.g.

Lucas Marine, Harbor Breeze Cruises Partner to Cut Fuel Costs

Lucas Marine is partnering with Harbor Breeze Corporation to help reduce the yacht charter and cruise company's fuel costs, maintenance and environmental impact in Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors. Harbor Breeze is one of the largest yacht charter and cruise companies operating within the two busiest ports in the United States. Lucas Marine is a division of Lucas Oil Products, Inc. - leader in the development of high performance lubricants and problem solving additives. Harbor Breeze CEO Dan Salas, has been operating his fleet of marine vessels for more than 20 years.

Engine Providers Power Operators' Profits

With an eye towards environmental compliance, operational efficiencies and the bottom line, the Marine News top propulsion providers touch all bases. Sitting down to select the best engine and propulsion manufacturers in the workboat marine space isn’t necessarily the easiest task in the world. Nor is it a linear exercise. On the other hand, these Marine News featured firms – Caterpillar Marine, Volvo Penta and Yanmar – all have more in common than you might think. With a laser focus on their collective customer’s bottom lines and addressing that concern through technology, environmental compliance and economical but powerful performance, each satisfies the niche in its own particular fashion. See if you don’t agree.

Volvo Penta Engines for New Whale Watching Vessel

Pacific Power Group (PPG) is powering a new custom-built vessel for whale watching with Volvo Penta engines, engine monitoring and throttle controls that will improve the experience for Prince of Whales passengers. PPG’s marine team is powering the Salish Sea Dream with four Volvo Penta D13-700 Inboard turbo diesel engines that will each supply 700 HP at 2,300 RPM, providing faster acceleration and better ability to maintain high top speed. This allows Prince of Whales to offer passengers greater whale watching experiences, additional viewing opportunities and extended tours.

SCANIA Expands its Engine Range for Marine Applications

Scania, a tradition-rich Swedish industrial company will celebrate in 2016 its 125-year in existence. Very early on in 1902, the first engines for marine applications were produced. Scania, since 2014 a 100% daughter company of VW, is a manufacturer of trucks, buses, marine and industrial engines and a true propulsion pioneer. Today the company employs approximately 42,000 employees with an annual turnover of $11 billion. The marine diesel engines of Scanua are installed in a variety of vessels…

FDNY Boat Named for Firefighter Lost on 9/11

Construction of FDNY’s newest fireboat, William M. Feehan, has been completed by shipbuilder MetalCraft Marine Incorporated, and is slated for delivery and christening in the coming weeks. The name of the new boat honors veteran firefighter William Feehan, who at 71 was the oldest of 343 firefighters to pass away in the line of duty on September 11, 2001. The vessel’s nameplate, displayed prominently alongside the cabin, is milled from an I-beam lifted from the rubble of the World Trade Center.

Volvo Penta Doubles Service Interval

Volvo Penta today announced a new extended service interval for its commercial marine diesel engines. “We recognize that minimizing downtime is a critical requirement for commercial marine operators,” said Marcia Kull, Vice President-Marine Sales, for Volvo Penta of the Americas. Volvo Penta launched its oil analysis program in 2014 to make it easy to obtain expert diagnostics of engine oil. A factory authorized oil analysis provides a basic driveline health check yielding a wealth of information on what’s happening inside an engine. Oil samples are sent to a Volvo Penta authorized laboratory, where technicians perform a rigorous full-spectrum analysis. The laboratory sends back a complete report by email within 24-48 hours with recommendations for actions.

Can't Touch This: The Climate Case Against Arctic Drilling

A new report released today by Oil Change International and Greenpeace USA details a clear case against drilling for oil in the Arctic ocean based on climate science imperatives. The report, “Untouchable: The Climate Case Against Arctic Drilling,” shows U.S. Arctic offshore oil should be deemed an “untouchable” fossil fuel reserve by any reasonable measure. The Obama administration’s fight against climate change is undermined by Shell’s quest for new oil reserves in the Arctic Ocean, warns the report. "Industry and government claims that Arctic oil is “needed” are based on oil supply and demand scenarios that will lead to at least 5 degrees Celsius warming by 2100 – i.e. climate disaster," cautions the report.

Shear Stability: The Key to Proper EAL Gear Oil Selection

Selection of gear oil for marine thrusters or a stern tube lubricant for use with propeller shaft bearings is often based on analyzing price/performance characteristics of the lubricant and its availability. Now with the implementation of the 2013 Vessel General Permit, this analysis must be expanded to include environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs) that meet the new EPA standards. To meet environmental requirements, EALs are blended from base oils other than mineral oil. They still meet the same lubricant objective – providing long-term equipment protection.

KR Launches Software to Aid ECA Compliance

The Korean Register (KR) has launched an in-house developed software program to assist vessels with fuel oil change over when complying with the new low sulphur regulations. From January 1, MARPOL Annex VI Reg 14 requires vessels sailing within an emission control area (ECA) to burn fuel with a sulphur content of 0.1% or less. This means that ships must switch from normal fuel to low sulphur fuel before entering the restricted zone. KR’s new software assesses fuel consumption at actual operating speed to calculate the time required to completely switch to a low sulphur fuel. The current practice is generally to rely on the experience of the chief engineer which KR has found often results in the vessel burning more of the expensive low sulphur fuel than is necessary.

Making a Conscious Change: Seaspan Marine’s Conversion to EALs

Vessel fleets face an increasing number of environmentally focused regulations, adding complexity to their operations and creating urgency around compliance. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under the Vessel General Permit (VGP), requires that all vessels over 79 feet use an “Environmentally Acceptable Lubricant” (EAL) in oil-to-water interfaces unless technically infeasible. The 2013 VGP revision also requires any above water line hull cleaning or deck wash-downs resulting in discharge to be conducted with “minimally toxic…

Proper Applications for Specialty Lubricants

Specialty lubricants are used in a variety of applications, but what factors should you consider? Depending on the situation, specialty lubricants can complement an existing program, in order to obtain maximum efficiencies. Often, shipboard use of lubricants is influenced by two general objectives – rationalization of the lubricant inventory and cost management. Vessels have limited storage space and complex logistics supply systems. This creates a strong incentive to source lubricants that can be applied to several applications.

CAT Unveils Uprated C175 Marine Engine at SMM

Caterpillar Marine says it is due to unveil new power ratings for the Cat C175 propulsion engine for commercial vessels at the 2014 SMM Exhibition, currently underway in Hamburg, Germany. Designed specifically as a high speed power solution for commercial applications including ocean going and harbor tugs, the C175-16 propulsion engine is now available with ratings of 2239 bkW - 2550 bkW @ 1800 rpm. The new ratings extend Caterpillar Marine’s high-speed engine power range beyond the company’s already industry-leading 3516C HD engine. Cat C175 engine platforms with the new ratings are available to order now from the global Cat dealer network.

Kalmar Gloria Reachstackers Enter Asia-Pacific

Kalmar, part of Cargotec, is set to launch its highly acclaimed G-generation reachstackers, named Gloria, into the Asia-Pacific region. The much anticipated entry into APAC follows the successful introduction to European markets, where Kalmar's fifth generation reachstackers have been setting new standards in cargo handling performance. The launch will take place on 26 August in Shanghai, China. With thirty different Gloria models available, Kalmar offers the industry's widest range of reachstackers to meet all types of cargo handling applications. Developed to meet the critical demands of container, intermodal, barge and industrial handling market segments, Gloria provides the benchmark for productivity, operator comfort, safety and cost-efficiency.

MAN Extends High Speed Power Range

MAN announced it will present a newly developed 12-cylinder V-engine for use in working vessels at the SMM 2014 trade fair in Hamburg, Germany. The German engine manufacturer will thereby extend the power range of its high-speed marine engines for heavy-duty operation up to 735 kW (1,000 hp). The D2862 LE441 is MAN's 735 kW (1,000 hp), 12-cylinder V-engine for heavy-duty operation. By adapting the turbocharger and the valve timing, MAN was able to raise the mean pressure and increase…

Stauff Sensors Offer Real-time Oil Monitoring

The demand for effective solutions to monitor hydraulic and lubricant systems is constantly increasing. Oil condition – or the result of the natural aging of the substance, decomposition of additives and contamination by foreign particles – is therefore the significant factor in determining the optimal point in time for an oil change. Changing the fluid too early generates unnecessary costs; changing it too late increases wear within the system and can lead to component failures and therefore even higher costs.

Pioneering Tech for Offshore Wind Farm Maintenance

James Fisher Renewables conducted an innovative trial of Ship-to-Turbine (STT), an oil change system set to significantly improve safety, efficiency and reduce down time in offshore wind turbine gearbox oil changes. James Fisher Renewables reports that it has successfully trialed an innovative oil transfer system for the direct extraction and refill of offshore wind gearbox oils from a conventional access vessel, a trial performed on an offshore wind farm off the Norfolk coast.

JFMS Buys First Supacat Multi-Purpose Vessel 24

James Fisher Marine Services (JFMS) and Supacat today announce the purchase of a Multi-purpose Vessel 24 (SMV 24). The investment in the SMV24 vessel marks JFMS’s continued commitment to provide innovative solutions to clients that require high assurance when operating in the marine environments. The SMV 24 vessel establishes a new benchmark in offshore support craft. With an overall length of 25.7 metres, it is powered by two MAN V12 diesel engines providing a maximum speed of 30 knots and fully loaded range of 675 nautical miles. The vessel is capable of carrying three standard ISO 20ft containers with 30T load, providing extensive and versatile deck space for equipment such as ROVs…