New head outlines Total Lubmarine strategy

Speaking at the company’s headquarters in Paris, Mr 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 suitable for use with fuels ranging in sulphur content from 0 to 3.5%. The product means that when changing from low to high sulphur fuel or vice versa, ships no longer need to change lubricant, particularly useful for vessels transiting in and out of ECAs.

Talusia Optima has been available in major maritime hubs since September 2016 and Total Lubmarine is now rolling out availability across many of the 1000 ports in its network.

Mr 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.”

Meanwhile, Total Group’s affiliate Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions had signed a three year memorandum of understanding to ensure that containership operator CMA CGM will be able to meet the latest low sulphur regulations by supplying it with LNG, 0.5% sulphur fuel and 3.5% sulphur fuels for use in ships installed with scrubbers.

The agreement also covers the supply of lubes suitable for all fuel types.