how chevron is supporting shipping customers as the industry evolves

What is your role within Chevron? 

In my newly expanded role as regional manager, I am responsible for Europe, Africa and the Middle East. We have an extensive supply network covering all major ports, and I work closely with shipping customers across territories and ports in those areas. 
 
I also assist in our work with various partners - suppliers and agencies - across the region as we constantly seek to develop new products and technology to support our customers.

How is Chevron responding to the growing use of alternative fuels in the shipping sector?

We are responding by developing lubricants that are compatible with new fuels and by leveraging our partnerships with OEMs to conduct field tests and obtain approvals for our products.  We are also closely monitoring the changing landscape, especially with regards to newbuilds, so that we can be best placed to know how the shipping industry will be powered in the years ahead. 
 
To comply with increasing emissions legislation, many vessels are now powered by engines operating on a range of alternative fuels – for example, LNG and even, methanol.     
 
To support this trend, we supply lubricants that are compatible with virtually every option currently available. Our Taro® Ultra range of cylinder lubricants is a prime example of how we can enable the use of regulatory compliant fuels.

“Many vessels are now powered by engines operating on a range of alternative fuels. To support this trend, we supply lubricants that are compatible with virtually every option currently available.” 

What are the key strengths within Chevron that will help tackle the future landscape of the marine industry? 

We have extensive chemistry and formulating expertise and state-of-the-art in-house test bench and engine laboratory resources. These capabilities are backed by a global network of highly trained field test and technical service teams who work closely with all industry stakeholders. 

How are you adapting lubricants developed for traditional marine fuels to the emerging alternative fuels entering the market?  

It’s an ongoing project in which we work closely with our customers and OEMs to share learnings on all aspects of what is required. There are ships already operating with LNG, methanol and biofuels, and we are already able to provide them with appropriate engine lubricants.  
 
One example is our recently launched lubricant oil, HDAX 9700, which can be used with both gaseous fuels and low sulphur liquid fuels without the need to match one oil to one fuel. That’s an important focus area right now. Incidentally, HDAX 9700 is the first lubricant to gain time-unrestricted approval for use with MAN Energy Solutions’ four-stroke engines running on either LNG or distillate fuels with sulfur content of up to 0.10% 

What are the latest digital tools available to customers? 

We have just launched the FAST onboard app, which is a marine engine oil monitoring tool. Users can carry out engine oil testing onboard and receive analysis of their oil condition on a smartphone from anywhere in the world. The better the condition of the oil, the better it can help improve fuel efficiency, which in turn can help lower emissions and reduce costs. 
 
We also have the OnePort customer portal, which speeds up the lubricant procurement process. The overall aim is to have the right lubricants available and to make it easy for our customers to acquire them wherever they are in the world.

What is the size of Chevron’s operations – how many of the world’s ports do you cover?  

It’s an extensive, global network, we have a presence at around 700 ports around the world, in more than 40 countries. In the regions I cover, there are hundreds of ports and some key supply hubs.  
 
Sea traffic is increasing, and in general, ports have become much busier over the last few years. As a result, we have geared our supply capabilities to enable us to supply directly to customers and to have strategically located production facilities that allow for fast deliveries. 

What is your current focus in your new role? 

Delivering exceptional customer service is very important to me and to the company, so that’s a key focus.  I will be aiming to meet with as many customers as I can and to attend some of the key maritime events this year, such as Posidonia. 
 
Our customers can look forward to a series of events to be held around the world, with the next customer event in Athens in June. These give us the opportunity to discuss the key issues our customers face and find optimal ways to support them throughout the energy transition.

“The Chevron team is very accessible to customers. There is always someone available, if a customer needs to get in touch with us.” 

How do customers access support from Chevron?  

The Chevron team is very accessible to customers. While we provide digital solutions to enable customers to place and track orders, we have an extensive supply chain and technical support teams that are available 24/7. We do work with delivery agents, of course, as the global supply network is vast, but there is always someone available, if a customer needs to get in touch with us.

Are there any new solutions that customers can expect from Chevron Marine Lubricants? 

We will continue to build on the progress made in 2023 and further expand our extensive development work. This includes continuing our expansion of the EAL – Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants – range. It is also important that we ensure the availability of Taro Ultra Advanced 40, the latest addition to our Taro Ultra range, since more and more customers are switching to this new product. The transition underway in the marine sector will accelerate in 2024, and we are working hard to be a valuable enabler in the adoption of new fuels.

Originally published in Elnavi Magazine, Posidonia issue, May 2024