Shell Sees Higher-Than-Expected Demand for ECA-Formulated Lubes

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Thursday April 16, 2015

Royal Dutch Shell plc-subsidiary Shell Marine Products (SMP) has seen higher-than-expected demand for its line of Emission Control Area (ECA)-centred marine lubricants, which has led the company to expand availability and turn its attention to technical services, SMP announced

"We have been pleasantly surprised by the demand that our ECA-approved lubricants have gotten," said Jan Toschka, general manager of Shell Marine Products.

"We have been quick to expand availability of our product range throughout our port network."

Since January 1, 2015, stricter ECA regulations have limited sulfur content in marine fuel used in the areas to 0.10 percent by weight.

The company said the introduction of the new rules, along with newer high-performance engines and slow-steaming, has contributed to growing demand for services in an increasingly complex industry. 

"We see an increased need for technical services, be that in offering used oil analysis programmes, helping to interpret and implement OEM requirements, cylinder oil condition monitoring or in assisting ship operators in crew development," said Toschka.

"Shell is well placed to provide this support, as we have dedicated technical experts around the world who can help solve customers' lubrication issues and also improve equipment performance."

Shell launched its line of ECA-geared lubricants last September

At the time, the company described the Shell Alexia S3 as a two-stroke engine oil designed for use with low-sulfur and distillate fuels, while the Shell Gadinia would be for medium-speed four-stroke engines and the Shell Mysella for gas-powered vessels.