Hosco Group reduces feed rate by 20% using Shell Alexia S4 and technical support

Company Information

Company: HOSCO GROUP (formerly Hebei Ocean Shipping Co. Ltd)

Country: Europe, South America and Asia

Application: Bulk carrier

Saving: USD50,000¹ a year

Key Edge: Shell Alexia S4 and technical support

The HOSCO GROUP transports iron ore, grain, crude oil and coal. Its Hebei Joyce bulk carrier has a MAN B&W, 6S70MC-C engine, which powers the vessel on routes between Europe, South America and Asia.

In March 2012, the vessel switched to Shell Alexia S4 cylinder oil. Shell provided professional engine inspection services to monitor the engine condition and worked with HOSCO GROUP to monitor the scavenge drain oil using the onboard Shell ANALEXAlert system and Shell Rapid Lubricants Analysis laboratory-based service. 

The engine was inspected after Shell Alexia S4 had been used for 2,893 hours. The engine was clean and no corrosion was observed. The vessel’s chief engineer reported that the average iron content in the sampled cylinder oil, which is an indicator of metal wear, had dropped by 40% from 50 to 30 ppm with the change to Shell Alexia S4.

The feed rate has also been reduced by 20% from 0.80 g/kWh at 2.23% sulphur fuel for the previous 70BN oil to 0.64 g/kWh at 2.34% sulphur fuel and is now close to the engine manufacturer’s minimum recommendation for a 70BN oil (Shell Alexia S4 is a 60BN oil, but its unconventional chemistry means that it can be used at feed rates more typical of those recommended for a 70BN product).

HOSCO GROUP is satisfied with the excellent condition of the engine and the potential to reduce costs through lower wear and feed rates. Shell Alexia S4 is now used across its fleet.

Challenge

HOSCO GROUP wanted to protect its vessels’ engines and reduce operational costs.

Solution

In March 2012, the Hebei Joyce, a bulk carrier with a MAN B&W, 6S70MC-C engine, switched to Shell Alexia S4 cylinder oil.

Outcome

An inspection after Shell Alexia S4 had been used for 2,893 hours revealed a very clean engine with no observable corrosion. The feed rate was reduced by 20% from 0.80 to 0.64 g/kWh and the average iron content of the used oil had also dropped by 40% from 50 to 30 ppm.

Value

Reduced wear and lower feed rates are helping HOSCO GROUP to save an estimated USD50,0001 a year. Shell Alexia S4 is now used across its fleet.

¹Based on the list price of Shell Alexia S4 in IPL 88. These calculations may vary from vessel to vessel, depending on, for example, the application, the operating conditions, the current products being used, the condition of the equipment and the maintenance practice. Assuming 250 days of operation.