Since the viscosity of marine fuel oil directly affects the performance of a ship’s engines, both suppliers and operators want to be sure that it is within specification.  That is why it is vital for Aegean Bunkering (Jamaica) Ltd to be able to measure the viscosity of the marine fuel oil it is loading on to its supply vessels.  The Viscolite® VL700-S/T portable viscometer from Hydramotion Ltd is enabling the company to carry out these essential viscosity checks quickly and accurately.

Aegean Bunkering operates two bunkering vessels in Jamaica, the 6500 dwt Aegean X and the 3000 dwt Aegean Tiffany. It has recently deployed two further vessels to provide additional capacity in the north of the island, boosting the number of ships it can supply to 100 per month.  Aegean also has operations in Greece, Gibraltar and the United Arab Emirates.

Before Aegean Bunkering learned about Hydramotion, it could only check oil viscosity by taking a representative sample and sending it to the laboratory.  This was time-consuming and difficult, and on some occasions impossible.  The company needed to find a rapid and reliable way of measuring oil viscosity on the spot.

“As the fuels we load on our supply ships are not always of the same quality, I had a problem finding out the real viscosity of the loaded product,” said Theodoros Motsenigos, Managing Director of Aegean Bunkering.  “I made a lot of enquiries, but only Hydramotion gave me all the right answers.  So I went ahead with them.”

Importantly for Aegean Bunkering, their Viscolite model has a built-in thermometer and software to correct the measured viscosity to 50°C, the standard reference temperature for marine fuels.  With viscosities between 450 and 1300 centistokes, the products are well within the instrument’s range.  “The Viscolite is very easy to use as the menu is very simple,” commented Theodoros Motsenigos.  “The performance is excellent.”

The Viscolite brought an immediate double benefit to the company.  “First, we save because we are not using the lab so often,” said Theodoros Motesingos.  “Second, and most important, we know what we are loading immediately.  Owners need to be assured that the quality of the bunker supplies they can get here is the best, and now we can always be sure our supplied product is within spec.”