US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) had enforced the new Vessel General Permit (VGP) effective on December 19, 2013, called 2013 VGP.

For non-recreational vessels that are 79 feet (24.08 meters) and greater in length that enter US waters, the VGP requires environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs) to be used in all applications that have the potential for an "oil-to-sea" interface, unless “technically infeasible”.

The 2013 VGP regulation defines “technically infeasible” as follows:
1. No EAL products are approved for use in a given application.
2. Products which come pre-lubricated (e.g., wire ropes) and have no available alternatives manufactured with EALs.
3. EALs meeting the manufacturers’ specifications are not available in any port at which the vessel calls.
4. Change over and use of an EAL must wait until the vessel’s next dry-docking.

According to the 2013 VGP, Nakashima Propeller shall implement “technically infeasible letter” with a use of EAL to be applied to Thruster. In addition, we shall advise to apply EALs in the vessel’s next dry docking.

Our information of EAL on this website will change with the brand of EAL’s increase in the future. If you have any EALs would like to use, please contact us. Furthermore, we shall arrange your order to apply to EAL in the latest dry docking, and we can issue “Statement with the use of EALs” for the next dry docking under your request.

For inquiries of providing the statement with a use of EALs or information regarding EALs, please contact;
Nakashima Propeller Co., Ltd. Quality Control Department
Phone (Direct) : +81-86-279-5116
　Email :

For information to apply to EALs in the vessel’s next dry docking, please contact;
Nakashima Propeller Co., Ltd. Service Department
Phone(Direct): +81-86-279-6277
Email:

For your information, 2013 VGP applies to the protective seals on controllable pitch propellers, azimuth thrusters, propulsion pods, rudder bearings, or any other oil-to-sea interfaces. However, our Fixed Pitch Propeller Cap has a possibility to be recommended using the EAL in consideration of current situation. Our technical action is as follows.