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Oil Film News

15 Oct 2023

Gard: Increase in Stern Tube Damage Concerning

Source: Gard

The number of stern tube-related damage claims has increased considerably over the last few years, and this is causing marine insurer Gard some concern.In the past, damage to a stern tube was often considered a relatively straightforward casualty by surveyors. The cause was often obvious – contact with a floating object such as ice, fishing nets or ropes, for example.These causes still exist, but the significant increase in frequency over the past years, without any apparent explanation…

06 Jun 2019

DNV GL Updates Shaft Alignment Design Rules

Classification society DNV GL DNV GL informed that it will update its shaft alignment design rules to differentiate between Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) and mineral oils in stern tubes.The update, will apply from 1 July 2019, and is based on the phase 1 findings from the joint development project (JDP) DNV GL has been operating along with the Swedish Club, Norwegian Hull Club, Gard and Skuld.The JDP was prompted by an upsurge in stern tube bearing failures that coincided with the increased uptake of EALs after the introduction of regulations requiring their use in commercial vessels trading in U.S. waters in late 2013.In phase 1 the JDP has focused on mapping out differences in the load carrying capacity between EALs and mineral oils.

16 Jan 2018

DNV GL Launches Project to Test Biodegradable Lubricants

Photo: DNV GL

Classification society DNV GL has launched a new joint development project (JDP) in cooperation with marine insurers The Swedish Club, Norwegian Hull Club, Gard and Skuld to test the potential influence of Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) on failures in stern tube bearings. DNV GL will oversee detailed laboratory testing of EALs by Leonardo Testing Services Ltd. at the University of Sheffield (UoS), UK. The JDP has been prompted by an increase in stern tube bearing failures over the last few years.

08 Sep 2015

Royal Purple Debuts New Line of EALs

The BioMax EAL Gear Oil creates an ionic bond that adheres to metal parts and forms a synthetic film on metal surfaces, improving lubrication and maintaining longer lasting results on marine hydraulic gears. (Image: Royal Purple)

Synthetic lubricant manufacturer Royal Purple has launched its all-new BioMax line of Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EAL). Royal Purple said its BioMax Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants meet all environmental standards mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and are Vessel General Permit (VGP) compliant for use in oil-to-sea interfaces in vessels measuring 79 feet or greater in length. All BioMax lubricants are formulated with Royal Purple’s base oils and proprietary advanced additive technology, Synerlec.

19 Jun 2015

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.

14 Jan 2015

Marine Lubricants: New Year, New Emission Rules

January 1, 2015 is an important date for ship owner and operators to ensure that their vessels, when operating inside ECA zones, are doing so in compliance with strict new emission edicts concerning the emission of sulfur. – to discuss some of the technical and logistical matters you must consider. The move to low sulfur fuels is well recorded, but from your point of view, describe the situation that ship owners face regarding fuel selection and cylinder lubrication come January 1, 2015?

19 Jun 2014

Dynaligner Aims to Eliminate Shaft Misalignment

Dynaligner

More than 20 percent of all machinery claims, as well as catastrophic failure, off-hire and repair costs are caused by misalignment – the cause of almost all propulsion train damages Sweden’s Dynaligner AB said, adding that the problem is getting worse as modern ship design pushes the envelope. However, a Swedish and Dutch invention aims to eliminate misalignment, modernizing today’s shaft alignment practice. The device, the Dynaligner, is said to offer troublefree operation of marine propulsion trains, irrespective of ship operation condition or hull deflections, etc.

15 Jul 2013

Remaining Part of MOL Comfort Sinks with Bunkers

MOL Comfort Fore Part: Photo courtesy of India Coast Guard

Some 1,600 metric tonnes of fuel oil and 2,400 containers onboard the 'MOL Comfort' sank to the ocean floor when the remaining forward part of the container ship sank. "There is an oil film at the site, but no large volume of oil leakage has, at this moment, been observed," MOL said in a statement. According to the latest update from the ship's owners, a salvage team has been kept in the area (19'56''N 65'25''E) to monitor the oil leakage and floating containers. "Most of the floating containers sank and could no longer be spotted.

03 Jul 2013

MOL Comfort: Latest Update as Tow Parts

Floating part: Photo courtesy of MOL

The vessel's fore part has broken free from tow amid adverse weather conditions, the after part having sunk earlier. The (slightly amended) owner's statement No. The fore part is located near 17'02"N 67'57"E. The weather in the area is still adverse. Containers: 
The condition of the fore part is stable with majority of cargo aboard. Salvage: of the cargo and hulls:
We have contracted with a salvage company to save the cargo and hulls. The tow wire was disconnected from the fore part which was being towed in a west-northwest direction.

27 Jun 2013

MOL Comfort Still Afloat in Two Parts

MOL Comfort: Photo courtesy of PTI

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) updates the status of the containership 'MOL Comfort' as of 18:00 Dubai time on June 25, 2013. The owners inform that the fore part is located near 15'43"N 69'07"E. The aft part is drifting near 14'03"N 65'30"E in an east-northeast direction. The weather at the site is still adverse. Some of the containers were lost, but majority of the cargo are confirmed to be aboard the fore and aft part. MOL say they have contracted with a salvage company which has dispatched tugboats to rescue the cargo and hulls. These four boats arrived at the site on June 24.

25 Jun 2013

Bureau Veritas Launches Elastic Shaft Alignment Notation

Classification society Bureau Veritas has introduced a new set of requirements for shaft alignment on high powered ships. The ESA notation will help ensure the integrity of the structure and shaft bearings on very large vessels such as ultra-large container ships and the next generation of very large LNG carriers. Jean-Francois Segretain, deputy technical director, Bureau Veritas, said, “As ships grow in size and we seek more fuel economies we are now seeing vessels with shafts handling over 20MW of power driving large diameter propellers of over 30 tons weight. Critical attention has to be paid at the design stage to analyzing the elastic shaft alignment and ensuring that the bearings and structure match the shaft response, especially when the vessel is turning.

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.

15 Apr 2013

Oils and Oil Analysis: What You Need to Know

In any given lubricant (such as engine oil, transmission fluid or gear oil), there are three main factors that influence the “useful life” of the lubricant:  Viscosity Stability, Oxidation, and Contamination. While it is important to understand how these factors affect oil life, it is equally important to realize that none of these factors can be measured or monitored except through a thorough and ongoing oil analysis program. Viscosity - First, let’s examine the oil property known as “Viscosity.”  Viscosity is defined as resistance of an oil to flow at a given temperature.

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…

03 Mar 2011

VARNA Products Works with Cummins Power Generation on Blackstart Prelube

Cameron Park, Ca….VARNA Products, manufacturer of industrial and marine oil and fuel oil pumps and turnkey control solutions is working with Cummins Power Generation to provide Turnkey DC Blackstart Prelube Systems for some QSK60L and QSV91L critical power generator sets. VARNA Prelube Pumps Minimize Engine Wear at Cranking and Help Ensure Generators Start. The highest engine wear rate occurs during startup. The longer the period between engine starts, the more engine damage that occurs.

15 Sep 2010

Air Emission Regulation Update

Mikael Troberg of Wärtsilä

In March this year, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposal to designate waters off the North American coasts as an Emission Control Area was adopted by IMO, the International Maritime Organization. The North American ECA is a key part of a comprehensive EPA program to address harmful emissions from large ships. Which are the time schedules of upcoming emission regulations? How are marine engine manufacturers preparing for the tighter air emission limits being adopted? Henrik Segercrantz explores.