Wärtsilä says that its Airguard(TM) and Oceanguard(TM) propeller shaft sealing systems can continue to utilise mineral oil since they meet the guidelines set out in the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2013 revised Vessel General Permit. The guidelines came into force in December 2013 and the position of the Environmental Protection Agency was published in a webinar organised by the EPA on 14 February 2014.

This means that the Airguard(TM) and Oceanguard(TM) seals meet the defined regulatory prerequisites and that owners and operators of commercial vessels of over 79ft (24 metres), sailing within US waters with either of these Wärtsilä systems installed, are not required to change to an Environmentally Acceptable Lubricant (EAL).

Tags: Wärtsilä Corporation