RSC Bio Solutions’ RSC EnviroLogic Photo: RSC Bio SolutionsPhoto: ExxonMobilGrease 2 WREP (Water Resistant Extreme Pressure) is available in 35 lb / 15.875 kg ExxonMobil’s Mobil SHC Aware HS: hydraulic oils pails, 14 oz / 396 g cartridges and 120 lb / formulated to offer protection in challenging environments.54.43 kg kegs.Panolin’s Word of Warning: Not All EALs are the SameAccording to Brandon Richards, CEO of PANOLIN America, Inc., not all EALs are the same. He noted that in early 2014 there were several reports about problems with overheating of stern tube bearings of new-build vessels on sea trials in the Far East occurring when EALs were used. Such problems were noticed in different vessel types, with different EAL makes, and with different shipbuild-ers; apparently they were not occurring in vessels ? lled using mineral-based stern tube lubricants. In addition, over the past year or so, there have been instances occurring of the leakage of some EALs from the stern tube, this time on vessels that had switched to using EALs, having previously been in service without a his-tory of stern tube problems when using mineral oils. On dry dock investigations, problems of wear and blistering of the stern tube seal lips became apparent and, in some instances, ‘stinking’ black sludge greeted the service engineers: this had to Photo: Power Fuel Saversbe scraped out of seal cavities and the seal oil feed pipes had to be blown through with compressed air to try to remove it. These problems are now being seen in the The 305-foot factory trawler F/V Golden Alaska: shipping industry worldwide.achieving clean fuel burn and substantial cost savings with a DNV-GL’s recently announced Joint Development Project to investigate Fitch Fuel Catalyst system.these increases in stern tube bearing failures in collaboration with several marine insurers and the UK’s University of Shef? eld is expected to show whether EALs are causing the problems. What is clear is that this is a complex inves-For more informationtigation: ? ve base oil types that are generally considered to be ‘biodegradable’ (but Blue Ocean Solutions www.blueoceansoln.comwith vastly different thermal performance capabilities) and several ‘blends’ of these Chevron www.chevron.comlubricants available from many oil companies (plus numerous ‘re-brands’) makes Electrolux www.electroluxgroup.comthe identi? cation of the lubricants that do work and of those that don’t a huge task.ExxonMobil www.exxonmobil.comThe current problem is one for vessel owners with EALs in their stern tubes: the Good Fuels www.goodfuels.comowners that have to use EALs to carry cargo within US waters and the Polar Regions Lubriplate www.lubriplate.comand the owners that choose to use EALs as part of their corporate social responsi-Panolin www.panolin.combility for the environment. The questions is have they chosen the EALs that work or Power Fuel Savers www.powerfuelsavers.comthe EALs that don’t?RSC Bio Solutions www.rscbio.comPanolin’s 30 years of EAL experience, put into the development of its stern tube Shell www.shell.comlubricant Stella Maris, a non-emulsifying saturated synthetic ester with selected ad-Total Lubmarine www.totallubmarine.comditives having the required demulsibility, has resulted in a lubricant that shows good Renewable Lubricants www.renewablelube.comcompatibility with bearings and seals when seawater ingress occurs.www.marinelink.com 65MR #5 (58-65).indd 65 MR #5 (58-65).indd 65 5/3/2018 12:32:32 PM5/3/2018 12:32:32 PM