Sailors SocietyTelestackTOC Americas 2025Bühler GmbHViganTBA Group
  • TBA Group
  • Geneva Dry
  • Port of South Louisiana
  • Bühler GmbH
  • Sailors Society
  • Van Aalst

LUKOIL shares lubricant experience

LUKOIL shares lubricant experience

(Posted on 01/05/20)

After 100 days of VLSFO operation, LUKOIL Marine Lubricants is sharing recent experience on VLSFO operation with NAVIGO MCL Extra (40BN). This draws on learnings over the past few months as well as experience from the transition from HFO to distillate fuels in 2015 with NAVIGO MCL Ultra (20BN).

LUKOIL is the leading Russian company in oil exploration, production and refining, as well as marketing of petroleum products.

Using the right cylinder oil, such as NAVIGO MCL Extra with extra detergency, is only the first step to avoid excessive liner wear on VLSFO. Feed rate optimization is equally important for good engine condition, in combination with engine inspections and monitoring the wear metal content of drain oil samples. The feed rate optimization process involves Cylinder Scrapedown Analysis (CSA) at regular intervals, provided by LUKOIL as part of their OPTIMIZE program. The switch to VLSFO or between different VLSFO blends can still be challenging and requires careful attention.

The fuel that operators are switching from, the new fuel and how the transition is managed all play a major role in ensuring a smooth changeover. HFO is stable because it contains many polar hydrocarbons. Distillate fuels are non-polar and can cause instability in mixtures. Many ULSFO and VLSFO blends are such mixtures. When changing over from HFO to these fuels, the sludge, asphaltenes and cat fines which may have accumulated over time while on HFO can remain on the tank bottom and walls or in the fuel system unless these are fully cleaned or flushed as it was recommended before the transition to VLSFO.

This issue can be made worse because the ability of distillates, ULSFO and VLSFO to absorb cat fines and asphaltenes can cause them to be carried through to the filter, purifier and engine. Cat fine levels at the inlet to the main engine must be below 15 ppm, ideally below 8 ppm. Some ULSFO and VLSFO are treated with additives to improve their stability, but these further increase the fuel’s absorbance and must be handled with care.

Mixing fuels can cause problems due to incompatibilities which cannot be completely avoided. Measures to manage this risk include; segregating the fuel qualities, minimizing mixing and monitoring filter, purifier and engine condition. Engine monitoring includes, for example, regular inspections and adjusting the feed rate where necessary, as well as regular laboratory analysis of scrape down samples.

Some 100 BN cylinder oils, such as NAVIGO 100 MCL, offer improved detergency. Therefore, in some cases high BN cylinder oil is used for a short time to counteract deposits in the engine. In the long run, however, using excessive BN with VLSFO will lead to deposits in the piston top land and ring pack, which can ultimately lead to scuffing and, consequently, loss of liners and off-hire of the vessel. By contrast, NAVIGO MCL Extra has detergency comparable to a 100 BN cylinder oil but a lower alkalinity or neutralization capacity (BN). This keeps the engine free of deposits without the risks of excessive BN. A sufficient feed rate is required to prevent scuffing.

Latest News

MIS launches as new global media platform

(Posted on 30/07/25)

Maritime Information Services (MIS) has officially launched as a global media platform delivering daily... Read more


Russian and Ukrainian seafarers continue struggle with psychiatric fallout of war

(Posted on 30/07/25)

Russian and Ukrainian seafarers continue to experience significant psychological strain following the... Read more


Noatum expands global footprint with inauguration of Shanghai office

(Posted on 30/07/25)

Noatum Maritime, part of AD Ports Group’s Maritime & Shipping Cluster, announced the official... Read more


Smart Ship Hub emission reporting first through Asiatic Lloyd partnership

(Posted on 21/07/25)

Leading vessel optimisation platform Smart Ship Hub has announced its partnership with AL Group &ndash... Read more


KR Representative LEE Jungkun Elected Chair of IACS Safety Panel

(Posted on 21/07/25)

KR (Korean Register) has announced that LEE Jungkun, General Manager of KR’s Convention &... Read more


INTERCARGO-member fleets outperform on safety and compliance

(Posted on 17/07/25)

Dry bulk carriers entered with the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) continue... Read more


NEMO strengthens global role with official status from IMO and IAEA

(Posted on 15/07/25)

The Nuclear Energy Maritime Organization (NEMO) is proud to announce that it has officially been granted... Read more


Industry statement on recent Red Sea attacks on shipping

(Posted on 09/07/25)

ICS, BIMCO, European Shipowners | ECSA, INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO have released a joint industry statement... Read more


NovaAlgoma Cement Carriers establishes new JV with DP World

(Posted on 08/07/25)

NovaAlgoma Cement Carriers Limited, a joint venture between Algoma Central Corporation and Nova Marine... Read more


Julia Ju appointed The Swedish Club’s new Chief Executive in Hong Kong

(Posted on 08/07/25)

The Swedish Club has announced the appointment of Julia Ju as the new Chief Executive and Area Manager... Read more


Van AalstPort of StocktonPort of South LouisianaCimbriaTOC Africa 2025Geneva Dry
  • Cimbria
  • Vigan

Subscribe to our newsletter

Keep up to date with the latest global news in bulk cargo handling and shipping