FOBAS broadens service with FOBAS Engine - a new engine management service promoting efficiency
08/02/2010
FOBAS Engine is a performance monitoring service, delivering extended fuel and lubricant telemetry regarding engine performance to ships’ crews and operators.
FOBAS Engine is a performance monitoring service, delivering extended fuel and lubricant telemetry regarding engine performance to ships’ crews and operators. The FOBAS Engine service aims to give ships in its programme a detailed indication of what is happening within large marine diesel two-stroke engines and, importantly, FOBAS will then provide practical guidance when any deteriorating engine conditions are encountered enabling action to be taken before damage is caused.
FOBAS Engine represents a ’low risk’ investment for the ship owner as it is formed by the fusion of expertise from proven FOBAS technologies and the data analysis engine from Flame Marine. This creates a significant extension of capability, adding value and offering true independence and support in engine management.
The benefits of FOBAS Engine include reduced maintenance costs, diminished potential engine downtime and reductions in cylinder oil feed rate. As the shipping industry continues to seek improved engine performance, this new service helps enhance operators’ ability to operate efficiently – reducing both costs and emissions.
The FOBAS Engine service is delivered using eight points of performance analysis via a thorough assessment of the key condition variables that affect the efficient operation of engines. FOBAS Engine telemetry provides ships’ crews and ship managers with key engine performance information. The crew are empowered and enabled to make any necessary adjustments to achieve optimised engine operation. Reports generated by FOBAS Engine are concise, clear and provide ship’s engineers with relevant, easily assessed information supporting their decision making.
“Our existing FOBAS services lead the market in providing insight and engineering advice about bunker quality at the point of loading. FOBAS Engine expands our capability beyond the bunker station right to the heart of the engine” says Douglas Raitt – Lloyd’s Register’s Global FOBAS Manager. “This is a good example of the increasing sophistication in shipping operations. Tribology – the area of engineering concerned with friction – is important. We all know about efforts to reduce hull friction – with this new capability we are focused on reducing friction in the engine.”
FOBAS has entered into a contract with Flame Marine Limited for the provision of engine performance, lubricant and fuel analysis, using its world leading Flame Diagnostic service, to power the new FOBAS Engine service.
Jonathan Hodges, Managing Director of Flame Marine Ltd: ”We are delighted to be working with a leading fuel advisory and consultancy service in FOBAS, and be providing the engine performance, lubricant and fuel analysis through our world leading Flame Diagnostic service, for Lloyd’s Register’s tribology and telemetry experts to interpret and consult on engine performance through the new service FOBAS Engine.”
Notes to editors
Lloyd’s Register provides independent assurance to companies operating high risk capital intensive assets in energy and transportation to enhance the safety of life, property and the environment, so helping its clients ensure safe, responsible and sustainable supply chains. The Group comprises charities and non-charitable companies, with the latter supporting the charities in their main goal.
FOBAS provides marine fuel and engine performance consultancy services. Fuel represents a significant operational cost, and the impact of poor quality or contaminated fuel could put the safety and environmental performance of fleet operations at risk. It is essential that operators have confidence in the quality of the fuel purchased, as well as the performance of fuels system and engines. The service provides accurate information and advice that enables operators to manage fuel quality-related risks and performance issues across a fleet. www.lr.org/fobas
Flame Marine, established in 1984, is the world leading independent provider of diagnostic services based on cylinder drain oil, fuel and engine performance analysis for slow speed marine diesel engines. The process, used by major shipping companies world wide, enables engine combustion and lubrication conditions to be diagnosed during normal engine operation.
For more media queries, contact:
Nicholas Brown
Marine Communications Manager
Lloyd's Register
T +44 (0)20 7423 1706
F +44 (0)20 7423 2213
E nick.brown@lr.org
For queries about FOBAS Engine contact
Danny Shorten
Lloyd’s Register
T +44 (0)20 7423 1868
M +44 (0)7768 532006
E danny.shorten@lr.org
Jonathan Hodges
Flame Marine Limited.
T +61 422922043
E jsh@flamemarine.com
W www.flamemarine.com
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