Turkish shipowner Susesea has successfully upgraded the cylinder lubrication strategy across its fleet of six bulk carriers by switching to Chevron’s Taro Ultra Advanced 40 (TUA 40). In collaboration with Chevron Marine Lubricants and local distributor Petrol Ofisi, Susesea has streamlined vessel operations and cut cylinder oil feed rates by around 33%, unlocking significant technical and commercial benefits.
The fleet, comprising Japanese- and Chinese-built 64,000 dwt vessels powered by MAN Mark 9 two-stroke engines, previously used a mix of Category I and II oils, alternating on a complex schedule. By moving to a single Category II 40BN lubricant, Susesea simplified onboard operations, improved procurement efficiency, and enhanced long-term maintenance planning.
“Upgrading to a single Taro 40 solution allows us to buy in bulk at strategic ports like Singapore and carry a full year’s supply, which has proven extremely efficient,” said Bilge Kagan Dogan, Technical Manager at Susesea.
Scavenge port inspections and careful monitoring confirmed improved piston ring cleanliness and liner condition. Feed rates were reduced stepwise to 0.8 g/kWh, meeting OEM cleanliness targets while easing the workload for crew.
Chevron provided close technical support throughout, including performance monitoring and crew guidance. Georgia Chaloulou, Technical Field Specialist at Chevron Marine Lubricants, played a key role in ensuring a smooth transition.
“Chevron is committed to delivering practical, data-driven solutions tailored to each operator,” said Chaloulou.
Susesea’s success highlights how adopting Chevron TUA 40 can help operators reduce oil consumption, simplify maintenance, and maintain compliance with modern engine and fuel requirements — all while improving operational uptime and lowering costs.
