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A new version of Maersk Fluid Technology's cylinder oil blending-on-board (BOB) system, introduced in 2015, has been ordered in volume to retrofit 24 vessels in the upcoming year.

Vessels to be retrofitted to use the BOB system

According to Maersk Fluid Technology, the vessels which will be retrofitted to use the new SEA-Mate B1000 system are 12 tankers with SEA-Mate B1000 systems, 10 vessels with Wartsila (WinGD) RTA and RT-Flex engines between 580 and 620 mm, and two vessels with MAN Diesel & Turbo engines.

The systems were designed for two-stroke engines of medium size with a cylinder bore between 420 and 680 mm. Retrofitting existing vessels to handle the BOB system is simple, according to Maersk, and will not require any interruptions to the vessels' existing schedules. The newly retrofitted vessels will be able to blend 30-140 BN cylinder oil by using the in-use system oil as a base for blending.

This BOB system has been fully certified for use in the specific MAN Diesel & Turbo engines mentioned.

Cost savings from BOB system installation

This first order for the BOB system has come after a long period of evaluation of the cost benefits associated with its purchase and installation. According to Maersk, payback time for a system like this can be two years or less when fuel savings, system oil, and cylinder oil cost savings are all taken into account.

Commenting on the expected savings, Tommy Thomassen, CTO of Maersk Tankers, said: "The BOB system is expected to facilitate up to 40 percent reduction of current lube oil consumption, cleaner main engine system oil, and fuel savings of at least 0.5 percent for both MAN Diesel & Turbo and Wartsila (WinGD) two-stroke engines."

Both Tommy Thomassen and the Head of Sales and Marketing at Maersk Fluid Technology, Sune Lilbaek, described the BOB system as being a 'future-proof' technology that will keep vessels more prepared for future challenges in lubrication and blending.

The system is designed to allow for the lowest consumption of fuel oil possible by matching the sulphur content in the fuel. Because the system uses in-use system oil as a base for the cylinder oil, it is possible to get fresh system oil to the main engine and improve overall cleanliness and viscosity of the system oil, according to Sune Lilbaek. Fresh system oil in the main engine has been documented to result in less wear in the critical mechanical and hydraulic components.

The device is said to offer proven fuel savings of up to 1.5 percent because of the optimal performance of the existing lubrication. Three of the vessels being retrofitted to install the device are also going to have a SEA-Mate B4000 analyzer that will be able to monitor iron levels in the cylinder oil scrape-down, making it possible to further optimize the lubrication system for different types of engines in the future.

The system is said to have been verified by two-stroke engine designers, all of whom have issued their official approvals or no-objection letters to the use of this system.