IN DIFFICULT CONDITIONS – LUBRICATION IMPROVES SAFETY
A freight forwarder had to transport a diesel engine from Trieste, Italy, to Tripoli, Lebanon. Everything went according to plan until the vessel reached its destination port. Then, just as the cargo was being unloaded, the engine fell 11 metres into the depths.
The crane cable had torn because of wear. The owner had to pay damages of more than 1.3 million dollars. Markus Boose, who is responsible for marine lubrication systems at SKF, says: “This example shows how important regular wire-rope maintenance is. A single weak point can cause the cable to break.”
A wire rope consists of individual wires twisted together to form strands, which are then wrapped around a core. It can be made from materials such as steel or nylon. On vessels and in ports, wire ropes are exposed to harsh conditions, especially rough seas and major temperature fluctuations. The global ISO 4309 standard for steel wire ropes gives operators guidance on how to carry out maintenance correctly. Wire ropes should be lubricated regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This protects the highly tensioned rope and keeps the material flexible. It also minimizes wear on the wires. Wire ropes used at sea have a relatively short service life if they are not lubricated regularly.
Even today, wire ropes are often lubricated by hand. This can take a long time, and working conditions can easily become dangerous. In addition, parts of the rope may be over-lubricated or under-lubricated, resulting in unnecessary costs. Many shipowners and marine transport companies do not have the level of safety required in this sensitive environment. For these reasons, automatic lubrication systems were designed and developed to meet the need and minimize lubrication-related risks for all types of machinery, whether operating high above the ground or deep below the sea.
Automatic wire rope lubrication systems and maintenance products can help solve this problem. They are designed to provide effective lubrication for a range of applications, including oil and gas rigs, port facilities and ship cranes, deck winches, ship winches, remotely operated vehicles and mining winders. These products can significantly extend wire-rope service life, while reducing downtime and lubricant consumption.
Maintenance itself can be accelerated nearly thirtyfold. Approximately 1.5 metres of rope per minute can be lubricated by hand. In contrast, automatic systems can lubricate 30 to 35 metres per minute. Accurate lubricant application can reduce consumption by up to 25 percent, depending on the supplier. This saves costs and benefits the environment. One or two systems per vessel are enough to ensure effective long-term maintenance. This is how accidents like the one at the port of Tripoli can be prevented.
LDT Vietnam – Authorized SKF lubrication distributor in Vietnam
Hotline: 024 668 0598 – Tel: 0948068692
Address: No. 11, Lane 68 Trung Kinh, Yen Hoa, Cau Giay, Hanoi
