Lloyd's Register is launching a new Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EAL) service, while Total launches in Lebanon.
Despite having to comply with the December 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP some ship owners are still struggling to use EALs because areas of their ships cannot be upgraded for technical reasons.
The VGP, as outlined in a recent OATS bulletin, stipulates that all vessels over 79 feet operating in US waters must use EALs in all oil-to-sea interfaces of the ship and must switch-over before their next drydock.
The Lloyd's Register service is designed to help shipowners comply with the VGP and will collect lubricant information used in the ship oil-to-sea interfaces. It will provide a ship-specific EAL report and statement of fact regarding work carried out and compliance with the new VGP.
Lloyd's Register can also assist shipowners in compiling their annual report for discharges of non-EALs.
New EAL-compliant oil product line
Meanwhile LUKOIL Marine Lubricants, in cooperation with Fuchs Europe, has developed a new marine oil product line which has high ageing resistance and good water tolerance and complies with all EAL requirements.
According to information from Claussen, LUKOIL Marine is the first to provide this new generation of EAL technology.
Total pioneers marine in Lebanon
Meanwhile, in the Middle East, Total Lubmarine will be the first major lubricant provider to supply products in Lebanon. Its lubricants will now be available from Tripoli and Beirut, marking Lebanon's increased shipping activity during the last two years.
January saw another first in bulk marine lubricant supplies arriving at a new port. Lukoil Marine Lubricants delivered the first large order of Navigo 70 MCL by barge to Novorossiysk, one of Russia’s most important export seaports.