Marine & Offshore
Jack-up systems
The importance of reliable lubrication
Jack-up vessels and platforms form the foundation of many offshore operations: from wind turbine installation to oil and gas production. They must be raised, lowered and remain stable, often in extreme conditions. And if one component fails, such as the lubrication, the consequences can be disastrous.
At Van Meeuwen, we understand these challenges. Thanks to years of experience in open gears, cranes, bearing technology and biodegradable lubricants, we know what it takes to optimise the performance of jack-up systems and extend their service life.
The challenges of jack-up systems
Jack-up systems are technically complex and exposed to harsh conditions. A high-quality lubricating grease is essential here.
Important factors to consider are:
High pressure load: the lubricant must be resistant to extremely high pressure and shock loads.
Temperature fluctuations: systems often operate in challenging conditions, from tropical heat to freezing seas.
Adhesion and film strength: the lubricant must build up and maintain a stable lubricating film, even during prolonged downtime or with slowly moving gears.
Protection against corrosion: given the maritime environment, water resistance and protection against rust are essential.
- Minimal environmental impact: More environmentally friendly lubricants reduce the burden on the environment, minimise the risk of pollution, and decrease the CO2 footprint by degrading quickly and safely.
In addition, it is important to comply with international regulations and environmentally friendly (EAL) standards due to the contact between the grease and water.
The risks of inadequate lubrication maintenance
One of the biggest challenges with jack-up systems is preventing wear on the rack and drive gears. Due to the high load, often under shock loads and in extreme conditions, the lubricant can be pushed away. If the protective lubricating film is missing, metal-to-metal contact occurs, resulting in serious damage. In addition, water, salt and dirt pose a constant threat to lubrication.
Proper lubrication maintenance and the right lubricant make all the difference here: Incorrect lubrication maintenance or using a grease that does not meet the high technical requirements can lead to unnecessary downtime and high costs.
Customised lubrication solutions
What sets us apart is that we look beyond just the right lubricant. We work with you to consider the entire application: from your equipment to regulations and environmental requirements. Together, we seek a solution that is not only technically sound but also works in practice.
Thanks to the high quality of our lubricants, we extend the service life of your equipment and can reduce grease consumption by up to 30%. Our greases are designed to withstand the harsh conditions of jack-up systems. They are resistant to high pressure and shock loads, water-resistant, adhere well and contain no solid lubricants that can accumulate or cause blockages in automatic lubrication equipment. We also support you in maintenance and inspection, so that your system is not only well lubricated, but also continues to operate efficiently, day after day.
Passion for Smarter Lubrication
Our lubricants have been specially developed for the extreme conditions in which jack-up systems operate. The grease is biodegradable and complies with international environmental requirements such as VGP and OSPAR, but does not compromise on performance.
Due to its high-pressure resistance and excellent adhesion, the grease remains in place even under heavy loads and when exposed to seawater or temperature fluctuations. The composition without solid lubricants prevents blockages in automatic lubrication systems. The excellent adhesion properties also provide extra safety (no ‘falling’ grease) for people and the environment.
Customers who switch to our brands not only see better protection for their gear racks and drive gears, but also lower grease consumption and less maintenance work; a practical step towards reliability and sustainability. Our many years of experience and passion for the profession mean that we know exactly how important the right lubricating grease is. In addition to a wide range of products and reliable deliveries, we provide committed technical advice.
Would you like to know more?
Curious about what we can do for your organisation in the field of lubrication technology? Please feel free to contact us at +31 (0)294 494 494 (NL) or +32 (0)53 76 76 00 (BE) or send an email. We are happy to contribute ideas and assist you further.