Lubricant Field Trials & Approvals
SMS has many years of experience in the management of lubricant field trial testing and approvals. Sourcing trial host ships, providing inspection and logistics services, with close support throughout, to ensure cost effective and timely results.
Expert End to End Service
Leveraging our extensive experience and relationships in the global marine industry, the process begins with identification of suitable vessels for trials and talking with ship owners and operators.
SMS plays a crucial role in setting up trials, including contract negotiation and pre-trial vessel surveys. We compile field trial manuals, prepare trial monitoring logs and organise sampling programmes to meet the specific needs of the OEM engine builders and our clients.
Planning, particularly for the start of trial engine inspection can be complicated and involve many parties. The port where the inspection takes place can range anywhere from the Americas to the Far East and beyond. We arrange inter-continental transportation, storage and delivery of the trial oil and organise services for start and end of trial inspections. We have a trusted network of engineering teams that we can call upon if a team from the OEM engine builder is not available. We also source local cleaning and waste disposal services, for engine and storage tank cleaning.
SMS attends all inspections ensuring comprehensive oversight for our clients. We work closely with all parties involved including the inspector from the OEM engine builder, the vessel’s Chief Engineer and the ship operator. After each inspection a comprehensive visit report is provided for the client.
Support is ongoing throughout the trial. We continue to liaise with the client, the ship, the ship operator and the OEM engine builder, monitoring weekly trial logs and trial oil sampling. SMS has in-depth experience in marine engineering, lubricants and fuels and provides advice not only on trial related matters, from interpretation of sample analysis results to photographic reports from the ship, but also on other areas of interest, from engineering solutions to marine environmental regulation and trends.