Chevron Ready for Low Sulphur Regulations

Chrevron Marine Products LLC has announced launching of two engine oil products today at the SMM optimized respectively for 2-stroke and 4-stroke continuous operation on low sulphur fuel.

The products are aimed to help vessel operators get the best from their engines while achieving compliance with the January 2015 introduction of low sulphur emission limits in the IMO Emission Control Areas (ECAs).

From January 1, 2015, vessels operating in the ECAs in European and North American waters face the choice either of operating on low sulphur fuels or implementing the alternative path of scrubber-based after-treatment.

With the majority of operators clearly appearing to opt for operation on low sulphur distillate fuels, there is an opportunity to improve performance through the use of lubricants specifically optimized for the lower acidity of the new, cleaner and more environmentally friendly fuel.

“SMM Hamburg is an appropriate forum for us to announce our ECA-focused lubricant products for 2-stroke and 4-stroke medium speed propulsion engines,” said Rafael Teodoro, Marketing Manager at Chevron Marine.

“These next generation lubricants are likely to be widely of interest to customers operating exclusively within, or frequently to and from, ECA zones and hence opting to operate exclusively on low sulphur distillate fuels. We are intentionally launching these new lubricant products ahead of the effective date of the new regulations, enabling Chevron customers to get the very best from their engines from day one operating on ECA compliant fuels.”

The new Taro Special HT LF is the latest Chevron 2-stroke marine propulsion engine cylinder oil – and one of the first such products worldwide to be fully approved for continuous operation using low sulphur distillate fuel – while Delo SHP is the company’s most robust offering for 4-stroke medium speed direct drive or gen-set applications.

“The two products have been designed and throughly trialled in continuous distillate operation across multiple engines and several years in anticipation of 2015 regulations. Their performance has really borne itself out, showing very good results in terms of engine cleanliness, long life as well as level of controlled corrosion, one of our customers’major concerns within the eco-regulations framework,” Mr Teodoro told WMN staff at the SMM.

Prior to its market launch, Taro Special HT LF has been the subject of thorough testing by Chevron Marine. A key part of the validation testing was based on several sea trials – over 3 years’ worth running continuously on distillate fuel – based on a commercial crude oil tanker operating in the CARB area waters of coastal California.

Powered by Wartsila and MAN engines, back to back testing was carried out using Taro Special HT LF, and a 40BN reference lubricant typical of current commercial products.

While cylinder to cylinder variation would be expected to be significant in an engine of this nature, averaged wear rates as measured by iron entrainment within the lubricant were at least equivalent using Taro Special HT LF.

At the same time, observations showed that the avoidance of ring and top land deposits was found to be at least as good in the cylinders
using Taro Special HT LF as with those operated with the reference lubricant. The product is now being used in vessels powered by a MAN G-engine, and has been issued with No Objection Letters by both MAN and Wartsila.

“Now the task in front od us is to make sure we have adequate supply capability in the ports where our customers are going to need these products  in time for January 2015 when the fuel regulations come into effect,” Teodoro added.

Taro Special HT LF and Delo SHP will be available as of December 1, 2014, in key Chevron Ports within ECAs, as well as Chevron ports in Singapore and Korea.