Top oil manufacturer Exxon Mobil has announced the launch of a new specialist marine lubricant, which is designed to be used in Emission Control Areas (ECA).
Premium AFME 200 joins another lubricant manufactured by the company, Premium HDME 50, within a new marine oil category that has come about due to the recently imposed 0.10% ECA sulphur limit. This is intended to assist engineers in operating boilers and engines efficiently and safely.
The company has indicated that Premium AFME 200 represents an innovative fuel lubricant, which is created utilising a process of refining that eliminates contaminants like metals and sulphur. This was developed in house at Exxon Mobil. This means that it complies with the ECA cap on sulphur, while reportedly also increasing the lifespan of components and improving engine performance.
Exxon Mobil has long been established as an oil industry leader, thanks to quality products like Mobil DTE 24 and Mobil 1 New Life 0W/40, but this new range of marine fuels shows that it is determined to remain at the forefront of its sector.
Premium AFME 200 has a viscosity comparable with that of heavy fuel oils (HFO), allowing it to be stored and handled on marine vessels in a similar way. As with an HFO, it needs to be preheated, which lowers the potential for engine components to experience thermal shock.
Exxon Mobil has stated that it intends to continue to develop new lubricants that comply with the ECA cap during the course of 2015.
