Oil Crisis Squeezes Trucking Lubricant Supplies

Fleets report higher lubricant costs as Middle East disruptions tighten supplies of ingredients used in synthetic engine oils and some driveline lubricants.

Some fleets tell HDT that while fuel surcharges help offset soaring diesel prices, they’re also paying more for engine oil and other lubricants as the war involving Iran disrupts global oil supplies.

Responses from Shell and the American Petroleum Institute point to a particular problem: shortages of certain base oils used to make finished lubricants, especially premium synthetic engine oils.

Neither provided figures showing how much finished lubricant prices have increased. But both described supply constraints, and API has extended emergency provisions allowing engine oil marketers to change approved formulations when ingredients become unavailable.

This story was originally published by TruckingInfo (HDT). Read the full story at TruckingInfo (HDT) →