Singapore: VPS welcomes maritime partners to newly built oil condition monitoring laboratory

Global marine fuel testing firm VPS on Friday (14 April) welcomed a number of high-powered representatives from various shipping firms to its newly opened oil condition monitoring (OCM) laboratory in Singapore.

Key customers toured the new OCM laboratory during the inaugural event attended by? Manifold Times .

“Combining our oil condition monitoring service, to assess lubricating oil quality and performance, with our fuel quality testing service, provides our customers with a complete engine performance evaluation,” said Captain Rahul Choudhuri , Managing Director for Asia, Middle East & Africa (AMEA) at VPS.

“We do not buy or sell lube oils, therefore our clients really benefit from the truly independent and impartial analysis we provide.”

VPS opened its first dedicated OCM laboratory in Rotterdam almost six years ago. This was followed by the commissioning of a second facility in Houston two years ago. Now this latest state-of-the-art facility in Singapore will further support this rapidly expanding business line. With this global laboratory footprint and its team of Machine Lubricant Analyst (MLA) II & III qualified Technical Advisors stationed across the world, VPS provide industry leading analysis and turnaround times to its customers.?

VPS testing to both international test methods and highly innovative proprietary test methods, cover the analysis of all types of marine lubricants including, hydraulic, engine, gearbox, turbine and stern tube oils, plus tests slates for cylinder scrape down analysis, lube-oil separators & purifiers, base number additives and base oils.?

In addition, the company have developed a market-leading, on-line customer portal with unique functionality for the monitoring and customisation of test data and reports. This password-protected platform, with customisable hierarchy, provides a secure system for the storage of valuable lubricating oils data.

One example of how VPS made a significant contribution in protecting the assets of ship owners/operators was proven when the VPS enhanced Cylinder Scrape Down Analysis program, including expert advice and a detailed understanding the fuel characteristics, was used to control and manage the serious liner scuffing issues which began with the introduction of VLSFO consumption in 2020. This saved thousands of dollars in repair costs and vessel downtime.

“I am personally very appreciative of the local support we have received from a number of our customers who have been early movers in partnering with VPS for their OCM work,” noted Captain Choudhuri.