Transport Topics has issued its 2013 lists of the 100 largest for-hire trucking fleets in North America (UPS, FedEx, Con-way, J.B. Hunt and YRC Worldwide, in that order, are the top five this year) and the 100 largest private trucking fleets (Pepsico, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Sysco Systems, Wal-Mart and US Foods, in that order, are the top five this year).

Honda Motor Europe has entered into a three year cooperation agreement with Castrol as its recommended lubricants supplier. The companies have co-engineered a new range of low-viscosity lubricants, Castrol EDGE Professional H, for use in existing Honda models to maximise the performance and efficiency of the manufacturer's engines.

Bradford, PA-based American Refining Group recently announced that it has successfully completed the Made in USA Certified proprietary supply chain audit process and is the first oil refinery to be granted license to use the Made in USA Certified® Seal for its Brad Penn® Lubricants, Kensol® Naphthas and Distilates and Kendex® Base Oils, Custom Blends, Waxes and Resins.

Gazpromneft Lubricants, operator of Gazprom Neft’s lubricants business, has become the first company to offer marine oil bunkering service from the Port of Primorsk terminals. The first shore-to-ship bunkering operation, fifteen tons in volume, was performed for the tanker Seahake. Primorsk is the biggest port for the export of oil and petroleum products in Northwest Russia.

Irvine, California-based Biosynthetic Technologies, in partnership with Albemarle, announced last week they have commenced successful startup of their biosynthetic oils demonstration production plant within Albemarle’s existing Baton Rouge facility. This biosynthetic oil, known as Estolides, has the potential to greatly reduce environmental challenges associated with petroleum oil.

• Croda Launches New Friction Modifier for Industrial Gear Oils
• GS Caltex Withdraws From Planned 300,000 bpd Fortaleza Refinery JV With Petrobras
• Albemarle Realigns Its Global Business Units
• Bhaskar Mukherjee, Chevron Oronite, to Present at 2013 Annual Congress of the European Lubricants Industry (UEIL) in Brussels on 25 October 2013