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Robert Joore, the new general manager of marine lubricants supplier Total Lubmarine, has laid out his vision for the company, focusing on developing a range of innovative solutions for ships operating in poor freight markets in a low-sulphur era.

Speaking at the company's headquarters in Paris, Joore said: "Total Lubmarine believes that innovation is the key to success. In 2017 we will continue to invest heavily in developing a generation of marine lubes which are suitable for engines running both low- and high-sulphur fuels. At the same time, we anticipate that the demand for environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs) will continue to grow, driven by the rising numbers of ships trading in the Polar regions."

Last year saw the launch of Talusia Optima - a cylinder lube oil that is designed to be used with fuels ranging in sulphur content from 0-3.5%, and which is also said to offer the potential to significantly reduce lube consumption and help extend engine life.

At the time of the launch, Total described the new lube as being "a breakthrough development that will simplify the management of vessels trading globally in and out of Emission Control Areas".

Talusia Optima has been available in major maritime hubs since September and Total Lubmarine is now rolling out availability across many of the 1000 ports in its network.

Noting the tough market conditions facing the shipping industry, Total Lubmarine's new general manager said: "Many of our customers have been battling with low freight rates for almost ten years. Lubes are of course a big part of any shipping company's daily operating costs and we are very focused on helping our customers reduce their lube consumption as well as extend the life of engines and vessel equipment in a practical way. We will continue to offer a customised feed rate reduction programme to all our customers, visiting customer's vessels and ensuring that their on-board teams are making best use of our lubes."

Joore added: "Total Lubmarine is committed to playing its role in helping its shipping clients develop long term strategies that allow them to operate profitably whilst at the same time complying with ever stringent regulations."

Last week, Bunker Index reported that Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions had signed a three-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) in an agreement that will see Total become CMA CGM's multifuel supplier.

Under the terms of the deal, Total has agreed to supply CMA CGM with fuel oil that has a sulphur content of 0.5%; fuel oil with a sulphur content of 3.5% for ships equipped with exhaust gas cleaning systems; and liquefied natural gas (LNG). The deal also covers the supply of marine lubricants that are designed to be suitable for all fuel types.