Castrol Alphasyn PG 150 lubricant saves distributor estimated $4.3k for first-fill and $28.9k over predicted vessel life
How technical SmartGains support from a Castrol Engineer led to a lubrication solution that improved logistics, costs and product availability.
The problem: expensive, scarce syntheticpag lubricant
Castrol’s UK Distributor, Williams Shipping, has a high-profilecustomer with a new-build ship. The vessel’s remit is to operatein extreme conditions found in the southern oceans andAntarctica, which are highly environmentally-sensitive areas. Thisship is as complex, if not more so, than any warship – let alonea typical merchant vessel – and operates in a harsh environmentwhere achieving exceptional system/equipment reliability andavailability is crucial. The vessel has thruster motor componentssupplied by multiple OEMs and the recommended lubricantwas an ISO 68 VG PAG. This product was difficult and relativelyexpensive for Williams Shipping to source.
The results: savings of $28.9k over the vessel’s20-year lifespan
Williams Shipping sourced Alphasyn PG 150 – a suitable andreadily available product – at agreed rates with Castrol. Castrol’sTechnical Support to Williams Shipping and the OEMs is theadded value element that underpins our SmartGains conceptand demonstrates why we are more than just a lubricantssupplier.. This solution has reduced Williams’ shipping costsfor this application first-fill by an estimated $2.73k (based ontypical prices for the recommended lubricant). OEM guidelinesspecify that lubricant should be changed out every two years,which means that over a 20-year vessel life this solution couldrealise reduced costs of nearly $28k for Williams Shipping,alongside a significant saving for their customer.
The Castrol solution: oem-approvedsmartgains alphasyn pg 150
Our engineer liaised with the OEMs to gain approval for theuse of our Alphasyn PG 150 in this application. It is now therecommended and supplied solution.
The figures: SmartGains achieved
| SMARTGAINS AREA | SAVINGS | COST TO CUSTOMER TOIMPLEMENT CHANGE | CREATED VALUEPER YEAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| *** Castrol Alphasyn PG 150 v ISO 68 PAG.1st Fills | Castrol Alphasyn PG 150 200L @ $5.85 = $1,170 vISO 68 PAG 200L @ $19.5 = $3900 | $1,170 | $2,730 |
| *** 2-Yearly lubricant changes through 20-year vessel life | 9 x $2,730 Savings | N/A | $24,570 |
| *** Technical Services Engineer’s liaison with multiple OEMs & end user to get approval for Castrol product | 8 hours @ $200/hour = $1,600 | N/A | $1,600 |
| SMARTGAINS Total | $28,900 | ||