Thu 11 Dec 2014, 11:56 GMT

Shell's technical service team for lubricants customers


Oil major says the importance of technical service is 'increasingly crucial' with slow steaming, new environmental regulations and the upcoming change in fuel sulphur limits.



Source: Shell Marine Products

Shell Marine Products (SMP) today offers a complete portfolio of marine lubricants for almost any type of vessel, from large container ships to fishing boats. But with recent developments, such as the prevalent practice of slow steaming, new environmental regulations such as the revised vessel general permit (VGP) in US waters and the change in fuel sulphur limits in ECAs, the importance of technical service is increasingly crucial to bringing peace of mind to ship operators.

SMP employs a team of technical experts spread out around the world that is dedicated to help solve customers’ lubrication issues and also help improve equipment performance. They answer technical queries, give product and changeover advice and provide technical troubleshooting. An SMP technical expert also conducts onsite equipment inspections as well as consults with the ship’s chief engineer to verify if the proper feed rate is applied to optimise operations.

Aside from its technical experts, SMP also offers Shell Rapid Lubricants Analysis, which includes a comprehensive lubricant sampling plan; recommendation of the most appropriate test suite for each piece of equipment; and advice on sampling frequency and how to take a representative sample of used oil.

There is also the Shell Rapid Lubricants Onboard Alert, a unique portable device that provides on board measurement and recording of magnetic iron content in oils and greases.

"These days, offering a suitable product should be coupled with the appropriate expert advice for changeovers and feed rates. Our technical service team here in SMP is always ready to help answer our customers’ lubrication questions and give them peace of mind," said Jan Toschka, General Manager of Shell Marine Products.


RINA employee on board vessel. RINA unveils Mermaid propulsion concept to navigate uncertain decarbonisation landscape  

Fuel-agnostic design claims savings of more than 1,000 tonnes per year in some applications.

Adinkerke and Aalter naming ceremony. Exmar names third and fourth dual-fuel ammonia-powered vessels  

Midsize gas carriers Adinkerke and Aalter named at formal ceremony.

Professor Lynn Loo, GCMD. GCMD outlines practical approach to quantity assurance in marine biofuel supply chains  

New report addresses verification of both total fuel volume and renewable content in biofuel transactions.

Steel-cutting ceremony of London Express class vessel. Hapag-Lloyd cuts steel for first vessel of new London Express class  

16,800-TEU LNG dual-fuel vessel is first of 12 newbuildings in the class.

Vessels at sea. DNV report warns regulatory uncertainty complicates fleet investment decisions  

CEO urges greater clarity to provide the confidence needed for long-term investment.

Blue Whale NxtGen Energy battery system. Corvus Energy launches LFP battery system developed with BYD Energy Storage  

Blue Whale NxtGen Power targets tugs, ferries and workboats with high power demand.

Welcome ceremony of Yampu vessel. World’s first battery-powered self-unloading bulk carrier enters service in Australia  

MV Yampu connects South Australia’s limestone trade with a battery-electric propulsion system.

Skipanes vessel. E-methanol-ready ro-ro vessel delivered to Smyril Line  

190-metre vessel is built for year-round North Atlantic operations and designed for future e-methanol conversion.

Belgium flag. Sunoil Biodiesel secures approval to supply biofuels in Belgium  

Dutch biofuel supplier expands its European footprint with Belgian market entry.

Tacoma Maersk naming ceremony. Maersk takes delivery of dual-fuel methanol-capable Tacoma Maersk in China  

9,000-TEU vessel is one of six mid-sized dual-fuel ships joining Maersk's fleet.