Shell's Marine & Power Innovation Center Enters Second Decade

Shell Marine Products (SMP) is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Marine & Power Innovation Center (MPIC) in Hamburg, Germany, marking a decade of its innovative approach in developing lubricant technology for the marine industry.

Established in 2004 within Shell Technology Center Hamburg, the center has been pivotal in SMP’s ability to meet the fast-changing demands placed on cylinder oil performance in today’s maritime landscape. Its team of scientists and engineers are constantly using insights from Shell’s legacy of almost six decades of marine lubricant development, from the first successful alkaline cylinder oil – Shell Alexia A in 1955 to Shell Alexia S5 and S6, introduced in late 2013.

“It is fitting that our 10th anniversary coincides with the SMM maritime fair here in Hamburg,” said Jerry Hammett, General Manager for Marine & Power Engine Oil Technology. “Here in the Center we can put promising formulations through their paces before field trials and OEM validation tests. Our testing takes into account extreme conditions and involves rigorous attention to the control of our test engines, to ensure that the only test variable is the lubricant itself."

MPIC runs four test engines, covering two-stroke and four-stroke applications running on both residual and distillate fuel. The facility works closely with OE Ms and employs experienced technicians and engineers who are Coordinating Research Council (CRC)-accredited to ensure that each test run can be properly evaluated and compared with all previous and future test runs for any particular lubricant.

“If engine developments have been rapid in recent years, there are more developments to come,” Hammett said, “MPIC will continue to be critical to sustaining our close relations with OEMs, as well as offering robust and reliable data to support our products, the performance claims we make and the services we offer. Responsible suppliers embrace change, and the Center represents SMP’s commitment to invest in its technology and the support that addresses the challenges faced by shipping as a whole.”

shell.com