Innovative Lubricants Safeguard the Environment and Sailing Schedules
27 April 2006
It is now more important than ever that ship owners and operators find ways to curb the impact of their activities on the marine environment. This need to promote sustainability stems from the threat of negative publicity from pollution and increasingly stringent environmental regulations such as the MARPOL and OPRC conventions. The issue is further compounded by the fact that heavy shipping traffic is often identified as one of the main pressures on the marine environment.
One area in which fleet owners and operators can demonstrate a strong commitment to the environment is in relation to the choice of sterntube lubricant. A problem that is encountered by all vessel types is water ingress into the sterntube, which is frequently accompanied by leakage of oil into the sea. This not only creates harmful pollution but also loss of lubrication in the sterntube that can lead to excessive wear of components and ultimately expensive, unscheduled maintenance.
To address these concerns, Vickers Oils have formulated a specialist range of sterntube lubricants that are produced from renewable resources and proven to be Readily Biodegradable and non-toxic to marine life in independent tests. Comprising Hydrox Bio 68, Bio 100 and Bio 220, this unique range has been adopted by over 150 vessels worldwide including cruise ships, tankers, ferries, car carriers and dredgers. The fact that Hydrox Bio lubricants can form an integral part of a company's ISO 14001 environmental management programme has further fuelled demand. Prominent users of the Hydrox Bio range include P&O, Carnival, Wallenius Marine, and Monaco-based management companies Martinoli and Andromeda.
Unlike conventional oils, Hydrox Bio lubricants also provide important performance benefits by forming stable emulsions in the event of seawater ingress into the sterntube. This protects the shaft and bearings and therefore prevents unplanned dry-docking and disruption to sailing schedules. For instance, due to the introduction of Hydrox Bio 220, the research vessel 'Discovery' was able to prevent oil leakage and continue in operation despite the presence of 20% seawater in the sterntube. Likewise, the use of Hydrox Bio 68 in P&O's ferry 'Pride of Dover' provided effective lubrication and minimised corrosion when water entered the sterntube.
Hydrox Bio 68 recently won a prestigious Seatrade award for the protection of marine and atmospheric environments, and in a further boost to credibility, the performance of all Hydrox Bio oils has been recognised by ABS, Lloyd's Register and Bureau Veritas.
