Cylinder lubrication under the spotlight

Themed ‘ECA complicance, cold corrosion and beyond: Tackling current and future challenges to engine condition’, the event offered an opportunity to discuss the issues with ExxonMobil and several industry stakeholders – including engine manufacturers, insurance providers, ship owners and ship management companies.

Panellists to the event in Copenhagen on 5 October included: Jan Jensen, Engine Specialist, Torm; Stefan Lindberg, Technical Director – Fleet Management, Brise Bereederungs; Kjeld Aabo, Director Customer Support, MAN Diesel & Turbo; Andrew Teasdale, Marine and Hull Surveyor, RSA Insurance; Konrad Rass, Senior Manager, Materials & Tribology R&D, Winterthur Gas & Diesel; Iain White, Global Marketing Manager, ExxonMobil Marine Fuels and Lubricants; and Steve Walker, Global Marine Equipment Builder Manager, ExxonMobil Marine Fuels and Lubricants. The event was moderated by The Motorship editor Gavin Lipsith.

The uncertainty of lubricating for low-sulphur fuels was high on the agenda, along with other challenges associated with emission control area compliance – such as how best to manage lubricant use whilst switching fuels. The impact of lower-speed, longer-stroke engines – and the unexpected re-emergence of cold corrosion – was debated at length, with delegates agreeing that greater sea testing opportunities (though hard to come by) would be a big benefit in tuning new engines.

The importance of a well-trained crew who understood potential issues around cylinder lubricants was another common theme. Across all these topics, the critical factor of regular scrape down oil analysis – to ensure that lubricants with the correct BN were used at the right feed rate, and to offer early identification of cylinder wear or corrosion – was highlighted as an essential part of the engine maintenance routine.

Iain Walker, global marketing manager, ExxonMobil said: “It’s a complex world, with many variables, so it is important that ship owners understand how to make the right decisions to get their engines operating effectively and economically.”

The Motorship will publish a detailed report of the discussion in its November issue and online.