UASC and Lukoil Marine Lubricants Enter Into Lubricant Supply Agreement for newbuilding Programme
United Arab Shipping Company (UASC), a leading container shipping line, and Dubai-based marine lubricant specialist LUKOIL have signed a lubricant supply agreement covering vessels from UASC's advanced newbuilding programme.
UASC is currently implementing one of the industry’s largest and most technologically advanced newbuilding programmes, with seventeen new vessels on order. This includes six 18,800 TEU vessels, which are the greenest in the world, and eleven 15,000 TEU container ships. LUKOIL Marine Lubricants has already supplied advanced lubrication solutions to eight of the 17 container ships.
As part of the agreement, LUKOIL Marine will equip UASC's vessels with iColubeⓇ, an 'intelligent cylinder oil lubrication' unit that optimizes both the performance and overall efficiency of vessel engines. iColubeⓇ offers environmental benefits such as reducing CO2 equivalent emissions by up to 13%.
June Manoharan, Managing Director of LUKOIL Marine Lubricants, commented, "UASC is a strategic customer for us in the Middle East, and we are very proud to be the lubricants suppliers for their modern fleet." She added, "The first two iColubeⓇ units will be installed in October and November on the vessels Al Zubara and Al Dhail, and we are confident they will deliver significant savings and optimal engine conditions."
The cutting-edge new vessels have been designed with a focus on cost efficiency and enhanced environmental friendliness. The outstanding environmental and efficiency credentials of UASC's new buildings are firmly demonstrated through their performance, and LUKOIL Marine's iColubeⓇ will further support UASC's environmental aspirations.
Carl Jansma, UASC Vice President of Global Procurement Services (GPS), commented on UASC’s supply agreement with LUKOIL, "UASC remains focused on building a premium strategic supply base by stringently selecting high-performing suppliers and service providers who can adapt to our processes, support our goals, and have the right approach to be shapers of the maritime industry. LUKOIL continues to be a provider with global experience, technical product expertise, and strong customer service and supply capability, which will ensure our vessel requirements are well catered for under this agreement."
This article was originally published on Marine & Industrial Report newspaper Vol 38 No.1 Issue last February 29,2016.
