Marine Lubricant Guide

Marine Greases — Wire Rope, Deck Fittings & Bearings

Marine greases cover the ship's many greasing points — from wire ropes and deck fittings to bearings, open gears and steering linkages. Water resistance, extreme-pressure performance and the right thickener for the duty are what keep grease in place in a wet, salt-laden environment.

Key Specifications

Application
Wires, bearings, deck fittings, open gears
Grade
NLGI 1–3 (EP2 general purpose)
Thickener
Lithium / lithium-complex / Ca-sulphonate
Typical Use

General shipboard greasing: wire ropes, deck fittings and sheaves, plain and rolling bearings, open gears, hatch and steering linkages.

Technical Detail

Extreme pressure and water resistance

Deck greasing points face shock loads, salt water and weather. EP additives protect against the high contact loads on pins, sheaves and open gears, while water-resistant thickeners keep the grease from washing out. Calcium-sulphonate greases are prized for salt-water resistance and inherent EP performance.

Wire-rope grease

Wire ropes need a grease that penetrates to the core to lubricate the internal strands and then sets to a protective, water-repellent film on the outside. This dual behaviour — penetrate then protect — is specific to purpose-made wire-rope lubricants.

Temperature range and thickener choice

Lithium and lithium-complex greases give good all-round, higher-temperature performance for bearings; calcium and calcium-sulphonate excel in wet, corrosive duty. Where grease can reach the sea (e.g. wire ropes, some deck gear), biodegradable EAL greases meet the VGP requirement.

Ports Where We Supply Marine Grease

Seven Ocean procures and delivers Marine Grease alongside bunker fuel at every major bunkering hub worldwide and across all 25 Indian ports — matched to your engine maker's approvals. Select a port for its full bunkering guide.

International Hubs

Indian Ports

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard general-purpose marine grease?

An EP2 (NLGI grade 2) lithium or lithium-complex grease covers the majority of shipboard bearing and fitting duties. Wetter or more corrosive points often move to calcium-sulphonate.

Which grease for wire ropes?

Use a dedicated wire-rope grease that penetrates to the core and then forms a water-repellent outer film. General EP grease does not penetrate the rope the same way.

Do you supply biodegradable (EAL) greases?

Yes — for wire ropes and deck equipment at oil-to-sea interfaces we supply EAL greases that meet the US EPA VGP requirement.

Need a marine lubricant quote?

Seven Ocean supplies engine, system and machinery lubricants at every major global hub — matched to your engine maker's approvals. Tell us the vessel, the port, and the grade, and we'll come back with an offer.

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