The present economic squeeze on the shipping industry is forcing operators to look to new ways to keep costs as low as possible. Running a diesel engine requires fuel and there is not much that can be done to reduce fuel costs if the same power output is required from the engine.

Another substantial cost related to power output is in cylinder lubrication. The latest engines do have sophisticated cylinder oil dosing systems but for older engines trying to reduce the cylinder oil consumption dosage can be false economy and result in costly engine damage. For older Wartsila / Sulzer slow speed engines, there is a welcome back fitting lubrication system that substantially reduces cylinder lubricating oil consumption to 0.8g/kWh or less that equates to costs that can amount to approximately 25 per cent less. The reassuring facts of the system is that it very carefully monitors the internal engine components and warns of any potential difficulties well in advance.

It’s not an accessory that has been rushed out due to the financial situation affecting the industry, it was first laboratory tested in 2003 and the following year in two ships, including the huge RT-flex96C. Only after 14,000 hours of satisfactory testing was the system offered to the market some three years later. In Feb 2010 a Retrofit Pulse Lubricating System was ordered for a fleet of four vessels built over the last eight years. The installation can be carried out at sea with the switch over and final adjustments being done in port. Thus the operators have reduced running costs and the environment is improved with lower harmful emissions.