Chevron updates cylinder lubricant range

The Taro Ultra portfolio, which will replace the current Taro Special HT range, has been reformulated to further secure both global availability and the flexibility to operate with all fuel types used to comply with IMO’s global sulphur limit.

Ian Thurloway, brand and marketing manager, Chevron Marine Lubricants, said: “These changes are about preparing for 2020. There will be a lot of complexity for ship owners and this is about helping with their supply chains, making sure they have access to a lubricant that suits their compliance choices wherever they are.”

The range comprises products with total base numbers (BN) of 25, 40, 70, 100 and 140, covering compliance options from zero-sulphur gaseous fuels to heavy fuel oil of 3.5% sulphur or higher (users in conjunction with exhaust gas scrubbers). The BN40 product is expected to be the most in demand, catering for the 0.5% sulphur fuel blends that are expected to account for well over 90% of marine fuel after 2020.

Chevron reported that many of the products in the range have already received approvals from OEMs. The entire range is expected to be fully approved well in ahead of the sulphur cap’s introduction.

“We are performing a programme of field testing with leading OEMs, demonstrating the performance of our lubricant offering,” added Luc Verbeeke, senior product development engineer, Chevron Marine Lubricants.

The phase-in period will begin in early 2019, from when the range will be rolled out globally to around 700 ports. Taro Ultra will be fully available before the end of the year.