How Mobil Marine Lubricants Ensure Environmental Compliance
EPA Vessel General Permit rules demand environmentally acceptable lubricants. Mobil SHC Aware oils and greases meet these standards while protecting critical systems. With OEM approvals and Walthall Oil’s dockside delivery, training, and analysis, operators reduce liability, extend service life, and ensure compliance without sacrificing vessel reliability.
Environmental compliance is no longer optional – it’s essential. For commercial vessels operating along sensitive coastlines and waterways, every drop of lubricant that contacts the environment must meet stringent EPA standards. Mobil Marine lubricants help operators align performance and protection with regulatory compliance, while still safeguarding mechanical systems and fleet reliability.
EPA Vessel General Permit (VGP) and EAL Requirements
Since December 2013, Vessels 79 feet and longer operating in U.S. waters must use Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs), defined by the EPA as:
- Readily biodegradable (≥ 60% degradation within 28 days)
- Minimally toxic
- Non-bioaccumulative in marine organisms
These requirements apply in all waters navigable by the public, near ports, and during discharge operations. Compliance is essential to avoid fines, delays, and reputational damage.
Why Lubricant Choice Matters for Compliance
Marine licensing and maintenance programs must ensure that any accidental spills or leaks pose minimal environmental impact. Traditional heavy mineral oils often fail biodegradability and toxicity benchmarks, while EALs based on synthetic esters offer rapid breakdown and significantly lower ecological risk.
Mobil’s SHC Aware product line was developed specifically to meet VGP criteria. It allows operators to stay compliant without compromising the protection of their mechanical systems.
Key Mobil SHC Aware Lubricants and Applications
SHC Aware Gear Oils
Mobil SHC Aware gear oils provide anti-wear protection for propulsion systems, thrusters, and enclosed gear drives while meeting VGP standards. They offer excellent load-carrying capacity, seal compatibility, oxidation resistance, and demulsibility, making them ideal for gearboxes that may encounter water contact.
SHC Aware Stern Tube Oils (ST Series)
Designed for CPP systems and stern tube applications, Mobil SHC Aware ST Series oils can emulsify up to 20% water while maintaining film strength and corrosion protection. These formulations resist washout and are safe under seal failure, allowing them to meet VGP criteria without sacrificing performance.
SHC Aware Hydraulic Oils (HS Series)
Mobil SHC Aware HS Series oils are ideal for deck hydraulics, cranes, and hatch systems. They meet EPA VGP criteria and EU EcoLabel standards, offering excellent demulsification, low-temperature startup, seal compatibility, and wear protection, all with reduced environmental risk.
SHC Aware Greases
Mobil SHC Aware Grease EP 2 and wire rope greases are based on biodegradable saturated ester base oils and lithium/calcium soap thickeners. They resist water washout, offer rust protection, and safely biodegrade in sensitive marine environments.
Environmental Compliance With Technical Confidence
Mobil SHC Aware lubricants are approved by OEMs, including Cummins, MTU, Caterpillar, MAN, Volvo Penta, Yanmar, and others. These approvals confirm suitability for demanding systems operating in sensitive environments—ensuring OEM warranties remain intact even when VGP-compliant products are used.
Additionally, detailed product documentation supports compliance audits and environmental reporting, making it easier for operators to prove EPA adherence.
What Makes Mobil Aware Lubricants Perform
- Ready biodegradation (≥ 60% in 28 days) ensures minimal persistence in marine ecosystems.
- Extremely low toxicity reduces risk to marine organisms.
- Non-bioaccumulating chemistry prevents long-term ecological buildup.
- Synthetic chemistry based on esters gives mechanical benefits without environmental compromise.
- Excellent water stability and demulsibility support operational reliability where water exposure is likely.
Together, these properties make Mobil’s SHC Aware portfolio one of the few lubricant lines fully aligned with modern marine environmental regulations.
Paired With Asset Reliability and Technical Support
Environmental compliance is only one part of the equation. Mobil Marine lubricants, when supplied through a partner like Walthall Oil, unlock broader asset reliability systems:
Mobil Lubricant Analysis (Mobil Serv℠)
Used oil analysis helps detect early indicators of wear or contamination and validates that EALs still meet performance expectations. Proactive trending supports maintenance planning and extends drain intervals, minimizing waste and cost.
Crew Training & Lube Program Support
Walthall and Mobil engineers provide onboard training, lubrication system evaluation, and improvement programs, ensuring that vessels actually realize the compliance and performance benefits of EALs.
Lube Storage and Handling Strategies
Proper storage and handling are critical to maintain both lubricant performance and compliance status. Walthall helps set up secure storage systems, including EAL separation protocols and spill-prevention measures.
Real-World Benefits of VGP Compliance With Mobil Aware Lubricants
- Avoid Fines and Downtime – Failures in compliance can trigger EPA enforcement. Using Mobil SHC Aware lubricants helps operators avoid citations and costly disruption.
- Sustain Vessel Availability – Compliant fluids minimize regulatory friction during port inspections, reducing the need for product swaps or substitutions.
- Reduce Spill Liability – Biodegradability and low toxicity reduce cleanup costs and ecological risk in spill events.
- Extend Maintenance Intervals – Superior oxidative stability leads to longer service life and fewer dry-docks.
- Protect Mechanical Integrity – Mobil’s formula ensures protection against wear, oxidation, corrosion, and seal degradation, matching conventional mineral products in performance.
Walthall Oil: Delivering Mobil Aware Compliance Across the Southeast
Walthall Oil Company is the authorized Mobil Marine distributor from Charleston, SC, to Cocoa, FL. That means vessels operating along the South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida coastlines have timely access to Mobil’s VGP-compliant lubricant lines and the field service to support them.
Walthall offers:
- Dockside delivery of Mobil Aware fluids tailored to your fleet’s needs
- Technical service and Mobil lubricant analysis for performance validation
- Crew training, lube conversion planning, and compliance documentation
- Consultation on lubricant storage, handling, and program design
Together, Walthall and Mobil empower operators to meet environmental regulation requirements without sacrificing operational effectiveness or vessel longevity. Call us today at 478-781-1234 to find out how Walthall can work for you!