Ensuring Sulphur Cap compliance

Over the past months many vessel owners in the local maritime and fishing industry have been preparing for the new International Maritime Organisation (IMO) 2020 sulphur cap on fuels. The new regulation is aimed at cutting sulphur oxide gas emissions, protecting public health and supporting the environment. As from this year, deep sea and coastal vessels will be required to use marine fuels with a maximum sulphur content of 0.5% compared to the current limit of 3.5%. This is a significant reduction and may have far reaching consequences for vessels. This regulation does not only impact fuel but also effects the type of lubricants used in vessels. With the introduction of low sulphur fuels, the use of the current higher base number lubricants can lead to ash in exhaust deposits that built up on top lands as acid neutralization additives remain unused. This causes inefficiencies and increased maintenance requirements in vessel engine systems. With the marine fuel landscape changing and to address these needs, ExxonMobil has been researching and engineering improved lubricants specifically for vessels running on low (0.50% or 0.10%) sulphur fuels. The oil company recently added MobilGard™ M420 (medium-speed marine engine oil) and MobilGard™ 540 (marine diesel engine cylinder oil) to its range of advanced marine lubricants. With a lower A20 base number of 20 oil, MobilGard™ M420 has been rigorously tested specifically for use in engines using fuels that comply with the IMO global sulphur cap. Thus far, the lubricant has received “no objection letters” from leading engine builders, including MAN ES and Wärtsilä. Formulated to help protect against deposits on under-crowns, crankcases, ring belts and camshafts, the new MobilGard™ oils also help minimise lubricant consumption and reduce maintenance and operational costs by extending the life of critical wear surfaces and optimising component life. Fuels and lubricants have to work together to ensure sulphur reduction. ExxonMobil provides services that monitor the performance of the lubricant as well as services on the fuel side and technical support to help ship owners and customers. One of these tools is Mobil Serv? Lubricant Analysis, a full spectrum service to analyse used oil. Used in combination with Mobil Serv? Lubricant Analysis, MobilGard™ oils can help ensure operators safely and efficiently comply with the IMO sulphur cap, without compromising on vessel performance. MobilGard™ M420 is available for supply from the port of Walvis Bay through the country authorized distributor, Lubrications Specialists. Apart from carrying out oil analysis, pump-overs, lube engineering services and providing optimal lubricant solutions, Lubrication Specialists distributes high quality ExxonMobil oils, greases and lubricants to the marine, industrial, commercial and private vehicle sectors. Contact Lubrication Specialists at 064 281 200, Windhoek 061 309 805, email contact@lubs.com.na or visit www.lubs.com.na

Ensuring Sulphur Cap compliance

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-18

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Ensuring Sulphur Cap compliance

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-18

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