Wärtsilä seals ‘industry first’ recognition

The recognition of Lloyd’s Register confirms that the sealing systems meet the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2013 revised Vessel General Permit (VGP) requirements.

Wärtsilä’s Airguard and Oceanguard seal products can continue to use mineral oil since they meet the guidelines and since the seals meet the regulatory prerequisites, owners and operators of commercial vessels over 24m, sailing within US waters with either of these systems installed, are not required to change to an Environmentally Acceptable Lubricant (EAL).

Prior to the approval, Lloyd’s Register carried out a desktop review where the product details were reviewed to establish whether the seal presents an ‘oil to sea’ interface in normal operation.

The results showed that the Wärtsilä propeller shaft seals are able to be used with mineral oil and a range of environmentally acceptable lubricants. It was also states that the Airguard and Oceanguard seals are unlikely to leak mineral oils into the sea during normal operating conditions.

Wärtsilä says it’s now seeing a growing demand for higher performance seals that offer better reliability, biodegradable lubricants, as well as completely water-lubricated systems that can guarantee zero pollution.