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Lloyd’s Register’s marine fuel and engine performance consultancy, FOBAS, has launched a new service, known as FOBAS Engine.

FOBAS Engine is described as a performance monitoring service, delivering extended fuel and lubricant telemetry regarding engine performance to ships’ crews and operators. The service aims to give ships in its programme a detailed indication of what is happening within large marine diesel two-stroke engines and FOBAS will then provide practical guidance when any deteriorating engine conditions are encountered enabling action to be taken before damage is caused.

FOBAS Engine is said to represent a ’low risk’ investment for the ship owner as it is formed by the fusion of expertise from proven FOBAS technologies and the data analysis engine from Flame Marine. This is claimed to create a significant extension of capability, adding value and offering true independence and support in engine management.

According to Lloyd's Register, the benefits of FOBAS Engine include reduced maintenance costs, diminished potential engine downtime and reductions in cylinder oil feed rate.

"As the shipping industry continues to seek improved engine performance, this new service helps enhance operators’ ability to operate efficiently – reducing both costs and emissions, " FOBAS said in a statement.

The FOBAS Engine service is delivered using eight points of performance analysis via a thorough assessment of the key condition variables that affect the efficient operation of engines. FOBAS Engine telemetry provides ships’ crews and ship managers with key engine performance information. The crew are then empowered and enabled to make any necessary adjustments to achieve optimised engine operation. Reports generated by FOBAS Engine are said to be concise, clear and provide ship’s engineers with relevant, easily assessed information supporting their decision making.

“Our existing FOBAS services lead the market in providing insight and engineering advice about bunker quality at the point of loading. FOBAS Engine expands our capability beyond the bunker station right to the heart of the engine” said Douglas Raitt, Lloyd’s Register’s Global FOBAS Manager.

“This is a good example of the increasing sophistication in shipping operations. Tribology – the area of engineering concerned with friction – is important. We all know about efforts to reduce hull friction – with this new capability we are focused on reducing friction in the engine,” Lloyds Register said.

FOBAS has entered into a contract with Flame Marine Limited for the provision of engine performance, lubricant and fuel analysis, using its Flame Diagnostic service, to power the new FOBAS Engine service.

Jonathan Hodges, Managing Director of Flame Marine Ltd: ”We are delighted to be working with a leading fuel advisory and consultancy service in FOBAS, and be providing the engine performance, lubricant and fuel analysis through our world leading Flame Diagnostic service, for Lloyd’s Register’s tribology and telemetry experts to interpret and consult on engine performance through the new service FOBAS Engine.”