Castrol Marine shifts from drum to bulk deliveries in key Asia ports

Castrol Marine has started bulk deliveries to the Chubu area in central Japan and the Kyushu area in country's southernmost region, part of an Asia Pacific-wide move from delivery of lubricants in drums to bulk, the company said Wednesday.

The new extended lubricant delivery service includes Nagoya port, one of the largest maritime hubs in Japan. Other Chubu ports to benefit from the new service rollout include the key automotive facility of Toyohashi, plus Chita, Yokkaichi, Tsu, Kinuura and Gamagori. Three shipyards are also covered: Kanasashi Heavy Industries, Toyohashi Shipbuilding and Universal Shipbuilding Tsu Shipyard.

Castrol Marine has extended bulk supply to the major shipyards of the Kyushu area, including Fukuoka Shipbuilding, Oshima Shipbuilding, Universal Shipbuilding Ariake (Nagasu), Namura Shipbuilding and MHI Nagasaki/Koyagi.

Previously, vessels at these ports and shipyards had to rely on deliveries by drum, the company said in a statement. It means customers can now expect improved service delivery, with supply in bulk resulting in savings on drum surcharges.

In May, Castrol said it had strengthened its supply network at 80 ports around the world, including 12 Japanese ports. It also added new ports in China and launched barge deliveries along China's lower Yangtze River. This has been followed with the recent launch of tote tank supply of trunk piston engine oil at Shanghai and Nantong on the Yangtze. 

Source: American Shipper