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Members of Total Atlas Lubricants Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd., a subsidiary of oil & gas giant TOTAL, have informed Bunker Index that it has come to their attention that local firms have been supplying fake Total Marine Lubricant (Lubmarine) drums to foreign vessels calling at Karachi.

Speaking to Bunker Index, Syed Ahmed Sheraz Bukhari, member of the Total Atlas Marine & Industrial Sales Department, said that the company found evidence of the 'fake product' being sold in the local market on board the vessel MV Jaipur.

Following an internal sample analysis carried out by Total, Sheraz Bukhari said the lubricant failed a quality test and was deemed not to be a Lubmarine product.

Sheraz Bukhari added that the so called 'countefeit product' had been sold in red drums instead of the blue drums being used by Total Atlas, warning other lubricant buyers to look out for such products being sold in the local market.

"Please be notified that you can only get the genuine/ authentic TOTAL Marine Oils in Pakistan from us (Total Atlas Lubricants Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd) or from our nominated distributor M/s Faisal Marine Oils Services," Total Atlas said in a statement.

"Total Atlas Lubricants Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd. takes no responsibility in case any vessel is supplied TOTAL Marine Lubricants (LUBMARINE) from any source other than the above mentioned," the company added.