Hainan Strait Shipping Co., Ltd, a large operator of 20 roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) passenger ferries, faced challenges related to engine oil consumption. Each ferry operates with two 2,040-kW main engines and three 600-kW auxiliary engines, which contributed to high annual engine oil usage. With 80–100 tons of oil consumed annually, this made up one-third of the company’s total lubricant usage, significantly impacting costs.

The Challenge

Hainan Strait Shipping aimed to protect the environment and reduce costs by improving engine efficiency. Frequent engine maintenance and up to 20 days of annual downtime created additional burdens. The company needed a way to minimize downtime, lower lubricant costs, and extend engine life.

The Solution

The company partnered with Shell Marine to trial new lubricants and monitoring services. They introduced Shell Argina S3 40 and Shell Gadinia S3 40, which are designed to enhance engine performance. These products are ideal for engines that run on heavy fuel oils and distillates. Additionally, Shell’s LubeMonitor service was implemented to track engine health and oil usage.

Shell Argina S3 40 reduced the need for oil sweetening by improving oxidation resistance. Shell Gadinia S3 40 worked to prevent the buildup of deposits and lacquer, extending the life of the engines. Both products contributed to reducing oil consumption, improving engine reliability, and lowering maintenance costs.

The Results

As a result of these changes, the six ro-ro vessels that switched to Shell lubricants only require maintenance once every two years. Previously, maintenance occurred annually. This improvement has saved the company approximately US$123,000 per year. The savings are due to longer oil life, reduced oil consumption, and less frequent maintenance. This has also allowed the company to meet its environmental and operational goals.

Conclusion

Shell Marine provided Hainan Strait Shipping with a solution that not only cut costs but also improved the efficiency and lifespan of its engines. By using Shell Argina S3 40 and Gadinia S3 40, along with the LubeMonitor service, the company significantly reduced downtime and costs while enhancing engine performance.