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Epa Vgp News

09 Jun 2022

Ship Fuel and Lube Costs Are Skyrocketing

© jsp / Adobe Stock

The $300 billion bunkering market is at a critical juncture due to the double whammy of the geopolitical crisis and the uncertainty surrounding the regulatory framework pertaining to the decarbonization of the shipping industry.“Bunkering has been hit from the trickledown effect of the sanctions against Russia, and this of course has had a serious impact on prices. Pre-war, the global prices were around $750-$850 per ton, and now we are looking at prices above $1,000,” said Alexander Prokopakis…

02 Jul 2019

Successful Sustainability Starts with … Lubricants

Unappreciated, but heavily used by operators and closely regulated by the authorities, lubricants can also be a welcome part of your environmental and sustainability program. That’s right: lubricants.When it comes to the ideal operating scenario on any marine platform, the challenge of balancing sustainability with maximum operational performance and arriving at a healthy bottom line has never been more difficult. That said; the arguably perfect solution involves using on board consumable product(s) that contribute to sustainability, operational, and energy efficiency goals.

05 Nov 2018

Regulatory Reform: Good Ideas … Ready to Start?

Image credit: USCG / Anthony Soto

Regulatory reform is one of President Trump’s priority agenda items. Upon taking office, the President issued a number of Executive Orders focusing attention and demanding action on the myriad of regulations impacting American businesses.Last May, the reform spotlight fell on maritime regulations when the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), published a Request for Information (RFI) on how the government should “prudently manage regulatory costs imposed on the maritime sector.” OMB…

11 Oct 2018

EPA: VGP Will Not be Reissued This Year

The EPA has provided updated advice on the reissuance of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Vessel General Permit (VGP).The 2013 VGP will not be reissued prior to its December 18, 2018 expiration date, but will be administratively continued and remain in effect until a new permit is issued. Owners/operators of vessels operating under the administratively continued permit are expected to comply with the terms and conditions of that permit. EPA stands ready to assist those applying for VGP and will continue its work on reissuing the permit, with a targeted timeframe of permit proposal in spring 2019.For vessels covered by the permit as of December 18, 2018: Coverage will continue.

16 Apr 2018

sVGP Compliance Difficulties Continue for the Workboat Sector

(Image: Ecochlor)

The recent implementation (January 19, 2018) of the long-delayed small Vessel General Permit (sVGP) requirement has major implications for environmental regulations in general, and specifically how the compliance difficulties continue for vessel owners with no real end in sight. Moreover, the U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG) recent publication of NVIC 01-18 (March 1, 2018), while helpful in advising owners on how to comply with the ballast water regulations, does not relieve vessels from the underlying requirements…

01 Aug 2017

Grooving the Way: Back to the Future

Anything but new, the Victaulic method of pipe-joining has been around for a long time. Armed with myriad type approvals from most IACS groups, Victaulic’s output will no doubt (and soon) form a part of your marine equipment for a long time to come. The conservative and staid domestic waterfront, especially where it intersects boatbuilding and repair, recently set sail for increased efficiencies, driven in part by emerging technologies, but also through improved management and new assembly techniques. It was in 2013 that Boysie Bollinger’s son, Chris Bollinger, then a member of the Bollinger senior management team, proclaimed, “Boatbuilding is evolving into something that will more closely resemble manufacturing…

13 Jul 2017

Grooving the Way: Back to the Future

Anything but new, the Victaulic method of pipe-joining has been around for a long time. Armed with myriad type approvals from most IACS groups, Victaulic’s output will no doubt (and soon) form a part of your marine equipment for a long time to come. The conservative and staid domestic waterfront, especially where it intersects boatbuilding and repair, recently set sail for increased efficiencies, driven in part by emerging technologies, but also through improved management and new assembly techniques. It was in 2013 that Boysie Bollinger’s son, Chris Bollinger, then a member of the Bollinger senior management team, proclaimed, “Boatbuilding is evolving into something that will more closely resemble manufacturing…

28 Jul 2016

A Sea Change in Waterjet Technology

Longtime waterjet propulsion equipment provider NAMJet introduces key advancements for the workboat sector. Back in 2011, when boat builder Birdon went looking for a propulsion system that they could utilize in the bid phases of a multi-boat contract with the U.S. Army, they landed on NAMJet propulsion systems and its TRAKTOR Jet line of high-thrust marine jets. Subsequent to that, and because their Army Bridge Erection boat (BEB) concept, powered by NAMJet, performed so well, Birdon went ahead and purchased the company. Since then, NAMJet has gone on to blaze its own trail for propulsion solutions over a wide range of workboats. Denver-based NAMJet provides waterjet technology designed for a wide variety of commercial…

18 Feb 2015

Insights: Rear Admiral Paul F. Thomas

Rear Admiral Paul Thomas is the Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy overseeing three Coast Guard directorates: Inspections and Compliance, Marine Transportation Systems, and Commercial Regulations and Standards. The programs include waterways management, navigation and boating safety, ports and facilities, merchant mariner credentialing, vessel documentation, marine casualty investigation, commercial vessel inspections, and port state control. A longtime specialist in Marine Safety…

12 Nov 2014

Wärtsilä’s New CPP System

At SMM Wärtsilä introduced its latest development of large Controllable Pitch (CP) Propellers, based on the previously known E-hub type. The new Wärtsilä CP propeller system addresses the demands of medium and large size vessel owners, and is particularly applicable for special vessels that are equipped with dynamic positioning capabilities, as well as vessels having ice notation, the manufacturer said. Among the benefits cited are an increased load capability, the high propulsive efficiency…

24 Oct 2014

Wärtsilä Steerable Thruster Gets Class Approval

The  Wärtsilä WST-14 thruster.

DNV-GL approved the design of the Wärtsilä WST-14 thruster, significant as approval was granted based on a thruster design that has yet to be introduced into full series production. The approval by DNV-GL follows the release of Wärtsilä's next generation of thrusters at the end of 2013. The new WST-14 is part of the Wärtsilä Steerable Thruster (WST) compact series, which is aimed at tugs, anchor handling vessels, and coastal and inland waterway cargo vessels. The series is also designed so as to comply with the latest environmental regulations, such as the US EPA VGP 2013 requirements.

08 Sep 2014

Wärtsilä Debuts Controllable Pitch Propeller System

The new Wärtsilä CP propeller system offers greater efficiency and a reduced environmental impact.

At the SMM exhibition and conference in Hamburg, Germany, Wärtsilä is introducing its latest development of large Controllable Pitch (CP) Propellers, based on the previously known E-hub type. The new CP propeller system offers greater efficiency and a reduced environmental impact. The new Wärtsilä CP propeller system addresses the demands of medium and large size vessel owners, and is particularly applicable for special vessels that are equipped with dynamic positioning capabilities, as well as vessels having ice notation, the manufacturer said.

24 Jun 2014

Wärtsilä Environmental Seal Systems First to Gain Recognition

Wärtsilä has received an important service level recognition for its Wärtsilä Airguard and Wärtsilä Oceanguard propeller shaft sealing systems from Lloyd's Register. The recognition of Lloyd's Register, a marine classification society, confirms that the sealing systems meet the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) requirements. Wärtsilä, the marine industry's leading solutions and services provider and a pioneer in environmentally sustainable sealing solutions, is the first company in the industry to gain this recognition from Lloyd's Register. In March 2014, Wärtsilä announced that its Wärtsilä Airguard and Wärtsilä Oceanguard…

09 Jun 2014

Webinar to Address VGP EAL Requirements

Photo courtesy of RSC Bio Solutions

The U.S. EPA’s 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP) requirements are now in place, requiring the use of environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs) in oil to water interfaces for vessels over 79 feet. The VGP revision also requires any above water line hull cleaning or deck washdowns resulting in discharge to be conducted with appropriate cleaners and detergents. A webinar, Complying with New EPA Lubricant, Cleaner Requirements for Marine, Offshore Industries, will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2014 at 2-3:15 p.m. EDT to help clarify the VGP EAL rules and requirements.

27 May 2014

The ABCs of EALs for the EPA’s VGP

When the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the new Vessel General Permit (VGP) in December 2013, lubricant and fluid manufacturers were prepared to give vessel owners a number of environmentally acceptable lubricants (EAL) to work with. EAL usage is now essentially required for any application on vessels where incidental lubricant discharge could occur in the marine environment. Those applications include stern tubes, thrusters, stabilizers, CPP propellers, and wire rope and mechanical equipment immersed in water during normal operation.

09 Jan 2014

Finding the Ideal Biodegradable Marine Lubricant

In December 2013, the EPA through its Vessel General Permit (VGP) will introduce the mandatory use of “Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants” or EALs. These products include the lubricating oils that are directly used in applications referred to as “oil to sea interfaces” where the only thing holding the oil from entering the water is a simple seal or gasket. Understanding what this all means to you is important. Bio-degradability rating of 60% or more in 28 days (the minimum criteria to also be classified as “readily biodegradable”).

11 Dec 2013

Don’t Forget: Seawater is a Free EAL

Typical netting and rope around rotating shaft damages aft seal.

If your vessel is trading in U.S. waters, you need to be aware of the new oil to sea interface law that comes into effect on Dec. 19, 2013. According to the new U.S. Environment Protection Agency Vessel General Permit (VGP), all vessels built on or after Dec. 19, 2013, must use an environmentally acceptable lubricant (EAL) in all oil to sea interfaces. For all vessels built before this date, unless technically not feasible, ship owners must use an EAL in all oil to sea interfaces. Additional information on the EPA’s VGP can be found at http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/vessels/vgpermit.cfm#final.

11 Dec 2013

Are PAGS the Answer?

PAG’s; one and all: DOW’s UCON Trident PAG Hydraulic Lubricant (orange) and American Chemical Technology’s Trident Gear Lubricant (bright green shade yellow).

Ron van Wachem, President of Coast Lubricants and Nanaimo Shipyard Group, reasons that PAGS are the best solution to meet the new VGP requirements. In December 2013, the EPA through its Vessel General Permit (VGP) will introduce the mandatory use of  “Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants,” or EALs. These products include the lubricating oils that are directly used in applications referred to as “oil to sea interfaces” where the only thing holding the oil from entering the water is a simple seal or gasket. Understanding what this all means to you is important. The U.S.

14 Nov 2013

Klüberbio Lubricants EU Ecolabel Approved

Klϋber Lubrication, a worldwide manufacturer of specialty lubricants, announces that its Klüberbio EG 2 gear oil for thrusters and Klüberbio RM 2 stern tube oil now carry the European Ecolabel, signifying compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP). The EU Ecolabel is a label of environmental excellence that is awarded to products and services meeting high environmental standards throughout their life-cycle: from raw material extraction, to production, distribution and disposal. Klüber’s gear oils for thruster and CPP propulsion units and its stern tube oils are approved for use by leading thruster and seal system OEMs and now have independent assurance, from the EU Ecolabel Program, that the products achieve the U.S.

04 Oct 2013

VGP-compliant Lubricants with a Pedigree

Image credit PANOLIN

With nearly 30 years experience in producing environmentally-considerate lubricants, PANOLIN offers its VGP-compliant Greenmarine products to help owners and operators meet the imminent EPA requirements. Unlike most trying to comply with the EPA VGP, PANOLIN say that their products are not a newcomers on the market. Some of the world's largest hydraulic equipment OEMs have relied on PANOLIN products for decades. PANOLIN Greenmarine lubricants use fully saturated synthetic esters and specially developed additives to achieve 100% VGP and sVGP compliance without sacrificing performance.

13 Aug 2013

The ABCs and 123s of the EPA’s VGP

If you are following along and keeping a scorecard, then pay attention. Summer School is officially in session. The first iteration of the Vessel General Permit (VGP) expires on December 19, 2013. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a replacement VGP permit under its authority from the Clean Water Act (CWA). The CWA and its implementing regulations contain standards that govern EPA’s imposition of National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit conditions. The provisions of this permit are established under these authorities.

01 Jul 2013

SubM & EPA’s VGP Drive Green Trend on Workboats

Thordon Oil Free Propeller Shaft Bearings and Grease Free Rudder Bearings for Workboats produce two kinds of green. The final 2013 EPA VGP language is out. If you’ve got a Controllable Pitch Propeller and Thruster Hydraulic Fluid and other Oil-to-Sea Interfaces, including Lubrication Discharges from Paddle Wheel Propulsion, Stern Tubes, Thruster Bearings, Stabilizers, Rudder Bearings, Azimuth Thrusters, Propulsion Pod Lubrication, Wire Rope and other Mechanical Equipment Subject to Immersion…

20 May 2013

Insights: Rear Admiral Joseph A. Servidio

Rear Admiral Joseph A. Servidio is Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy overseeing Inspections and Compliance, Marine Transportation Systems, and Commercial Regulations and Standards. Theses directorates include waterways management, navigation and boating safety, commercial vessels, ports and facilities, merchant mariner credentialing, vessel documentation, marine casualty investigation, inspections, and port state control. His previous assignments include numerous postings in marine inspection, marine safety and investigation billets. Servidio is a graduate of the U.