VGP
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BIOGEN NO COMPROMISE ENVIRONMENT • OPERATOR • CABLES

WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF THE VGP ON LUBRICANT USAGE? WHAT DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED? WHAT IS AN ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE LUBRICANT (EAL)? BIOGEN WIRESHIELD®

WHAT IS THE 2013 VGP? The Vessel General Permit for Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation of Vessels (VGP) is a US licence which works alongside the Clean Water Act. It serves to protect the US Coastline and inland waters by regulating discharge from vessels entering these areas. The first VGP was issued in December 2008; however as of December 19th 2013, a second, more demanding version has become effective. It is important that all vessel operators are familiar with this document as the consequences of failing to follow the regulations include fines and imprisonment. One of the...

DID YOU KNOW? The usage of Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants is enforced by law Penalties for breaches of the VGP can include significant fines and imprisonment

WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF THE VGP ON LUBRICANT USAGE? Effective 19th December 2013, all vessels which are subject to the requirements of the VGP are required to use Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants in all oil-to-sea interfaces, including: • Wire Ropes • ROV Umbilicals • Submersible Equipment • Pitch Propellers • Hydraulic Fluids • Paddle Wheel Propulsions • Stern Tubes • Thruster Bearings • Stabilisers • Rudder Bearings • Azimuth Thrusters • Propulsion Pods When must the switch to EALs be completed? All vessels must switch to EALs for use in oil-to-sea interfaces during their next dry...

DID YOU KNOW? The US Coast Guard will report all non-conformances to the EPA

WHAT DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED? In order to comply with the VGP, a number of documents must be completed, many of which make reference to lubricants; these include: > The Notice of Intent (NoI) – Section D refers to Discharge. If lubricants are used on your vessel in oil-to-sea interfaces, it must be marked in this section. > VGP Annual Report –Question 5 refers directly to Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants and requests information on lubricants used. > If EALs have not been used, an explanation is required. > Under certain circumstances, a non-conformance can be excused for certain...

WHAT IS AN ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE LUBRICANT (EAL)? In simple terms, all EALs have been formulated to ensure that their impact on the environment is significantly reduced when compared to that of a traditional lubricant. The VGP states that lubricants must meet stringent testing specifications against three main criterion in order to be classified as an EAL; these are biodegradability, eco-toxicity and bioaccumulation. Bioaccumulation Eco-toxicity Biodegradability With regards to the VGP, this is a measure of how quickly a lubricant would break down into its harmless constituents if...

DID YOU KNOW? Lubricant use must be reported in the VGP annual report

BIOGEN VGP and European Eco-Label Compliant Lubricant for Wire Ropes and Umbilicals Evolution of Lubrication Technology As a direct oil-to-sea interface, wire ropes and ROV umbilicals are required under the new VGP requirements to be Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs). BIOGEN WIRESHIELD carries the European Eco-Label and is therefore fully VGP compliant. "Wire ropes are like complex machines requiring dedicated lubricants to perform" Pseudo-plastic Rheology Shear or agitation causes a reduction in the dynamic viscosity of BIOGEN WIRESHIELD: > Allowing maximum penetration into the...

Corrosion Resistance Corrosion is a primary cause of premature wire rope and umbilical failure. BIOGEN WIRESHIELD is proven to excel in the most corrosive of atmospheres. Identical sections of wire ropes and armoured umbilicals were exposed to a salt spray fog for 1000 hours. The samples were galvanised, providing limited protection from corrosion through the formation of white zinc oxides and carbonates on their surfaces. If a lubricant can prevent this galvanic formation, it demonstrates excellent anti-corrosion protection. BIOGEN WIRESHIELD® NO GALVANIC FORMATION COMPETITOR 1 SOME...

DID YOU KNOW? Lubricants bearing the European Eco-Label logo are fully VGP compliant Lubricants bearing the European Eco-Label are all tested to be fit for purpose

OVER THREE YEARS OF RESEARCH BY INDUSTRY LEADING CHEMISTS AT ROCOL HAS LED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF: BIOGEN WIRESHIELD ® outperforms mineral oil competitors Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants are often quoted as having reduced performance capabilities when compared to traditional mineral oil lubricants. BIOGEN WIRESHIELD® has been developed to either equal or outperform mineral oil lubricants. Operators no longer need to compromise the protection of their wire ropes and umbilicals in order to meet environmental regulations and legislation. In-house laboratory tests and extensive field...

BIOGEN NO COMPROMISE ENVIRONMENT • OPERATOR • CABLES

BIOGEN APPLICATION Methods of cable lubrication range from traditional techniques such as brushing and swabbing to the use of high performance equipment. BIOGEN WIRESHIELD can be applied using whichever method is most convenient, but in order to maximise efficiency, ROCOL recommends the use of automatic delivery systems. The use of BIOGEN WIRESHIELD with an automatic delivery system: • Optimised pseudoplastic penetration into the wires and strands of the cable • Prevents build up of excess lubricant • Offers cost savings due to increased lubrication speed • Is suitable for use on a range of...