Compania Espanola de Petroleos, S.A.U has launched three new marine lubricants designed for slow-speed two-stroke crosshead engines used in large ships. Cepsa's development of the new GAVIA 7050, GAVIA 2550 and CICONIA 30 products for slow-speed two-stroke crosshead engines, was aimed at providing ship owners with the right choice of lubricants both technically and economically. These new lubricants come at a time when there are new fuel qualities available and ships must change fuel and lubricants depending on the voyage they are undertaking.

The products allow engines to adapt to new legislation that aims to improve the control over emissions. International authorities such as the International Marine Organization (IMO) and MARPOL (Marine Pollution) have set regulations lowering the amount of sulphur used in Heavy Fuel Oils used in marine fuels by ships to 0.1% within Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECA). The new lubricants allow engines to produce power more effectively with lower fuel consumption ratios.

The three products are made using high quality base oils and specific additives that provide a high heat resistance, as well as better protection against corrosion generated by sulphur in the fuel, high temperatures and the pressures of today's engines. As such, demands for high durability are guaranteed in these lubricants. CEPSA GAVIA 7050 is a lubricant aimed at engines that use a fuel with a sulphur content between 1% and 3.5%.

CEPSA GAVIA 2550 is aimed at ships navigating in SECA zones that require fuels with a maximum of 0.1% sulphur. Both products have a viscosity level of SAE 50, and are manufactured using the high quality refined base fuels that produce a tougher wearing film of lubricant on the surfaces where they are working. Lastly, CEPSA CICONIA 30, is designed to lubricate the range of two-stroke engines.

It has a viscosity of SAE 30, which is suitable for lubricating and cooling bearings. Its high level of balanced detergency also allows it to neutralize the acid components that can reach the system from the cylinders, protecting the system against corrosion. All of Cepsa's products for slow-speed crosshead engines are supported by the main marine motor manufacturers such as MAN and Wartsila, and have been tested in a diverse range of ships with optimal results both in lubricant performance as well as engine protection.

That strengthens the continual work by the R&D team to achieve technologically advanced solutions that guarantee its use in engines.