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The marine lubricants market is under pressure to provide long-term solutions to its ship operating customers and Total Lubmarine is investing in new simple solutions according to Jean-Philippe Roman [pictured], Total Lubmarine's technical director.

Speaking yesterday (October 29) at the Fuels, Lubes & Emissions Technology Conference in London, he outlined Total Lubmarine's approach to forthcoming regulations in the marine fuels market, in particular developments in emission control zones (ECAs) stipulated by the MARPOL Annex VI directive that is due to enter into force in 2015.

"From a customer's point of view, a good lubricant is a lubricant which offers both improved performance and is simple to use. Low sulphur fuels and eco-engines throw up many challenges to lubricant suppliers and Total Lubmarine is committed to investing in the chemistry that will deliver the simpler oil lubricants in the future," commented Roman.

In a statement released today (October 30), the company stressed that it was "investing in future proof [sic, recte future-proof] lubricants", adding: "Total Lubmarine has been proactive in developing solutions to the soon-to-be enforced ECA regulations within its specialist sector of marine lubricants, anticipating the change and complexity that will be conferred on ship owners and managers."

As of January 2015, ships operating in the world's ECA areas will be required by law to burn fuel with a maximum sulphur content of 0.1 percent if they do not have an exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) - also known as scrubber - installed. Ship engines up until this point have burnt two types of fuel: high sulphur heavy fuel oil (HS HFO) and low sulphur heavy fuel oil (LS HFO).

Total Lubmarine stresses that the requirement for ships to burn distillate fuels with a sulphur content of no more than 0.1 percent will necessitate the use of new engine lubricants that can maintain efficient operation and maintain cleanliness.

The lubricant supplier says it is already ahead of regulatory change by developing Talusia LS 25, which was introduced to the market two months ago in anticipation of the MARPOL Annex VI directive.

Roman noted: "Talusia LS 25 allows ship operators to maintain excellent deposit control through its use of specially developed low-ash chemistry and means that they don't need to resort to 'homemade' blending techniques aboard their vessels."

Outside of ECAs, where it is permissible to use fuels with a sulphur content greater than 0.1 percent, Total Lubmarine provides Talusia HR 70 for use with HS HFO and Talusia LS 40 for LS HFO.

Total says its single-cylinder lubricant, Talusia Universal, can be used with a wide range of HFOs on previous generation engines. Talusia Universal 100 has been designed for modern engines potentially affected by cold corrosion issues.

"Total Lubmarine has a full range of solutions to suit all engine and fuel types, enabling ship owners to trade in harmony with the latest regulations," the company said.

Image: Jean-Philippe Roman, Total Lubmarine's technical director.