Jaanus Lember the CEO and founder of Lubtec with logo and harbor in background

Adapt integrated partners

 

Estonian-based Lubtec is recognized as one of the leading suppliers of marine lubricants across the Baltic states, delivering to more than 50 different ports in the Baltic Sea.

 

As Lubmarine’s partner in the region, we speak to Jaanus Lember, CEO and founder of Lubtec about his business and the strategic benefits that the close working partnership with Lubmarine brings to shipping operators whether they are based in the Baltic region or have vessels operating across it.

 

Can you tell us a little more about Lubtec?

 

I first started Lubtec in Estonia in 2012, so we are now a little more than 13 years old. In that time, we have grown to become the largest marine lubricant supplier in the Baltic region, covering an area of coastline of around 2,000 kilometres. 

 

In real terms that equates to us supplying an average of between 700,000 – 1,000,000 litres of lubricants to ships per annum across the Baltic States - including Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - through our own warehousing and logistics infrastructure.

 

What type of customers do you work with across the Baltic region?

 

We work with a wide range of customers across the maritime sector, including some of the largest shipping, ferry and cruise operators jn the region who are operating extensive fleets.

 

Can you tell us how the partnership with Lubmarine was formed?

 

The most obvious answer is that there is a strong symbiosis with Lubtec and Lubmarine working together with clear benefits for both our organizations. From an operational perspective, the start of the geopolitical conflicts in 2022 has added challenges and complexity to the market. Geographically, politically and practically – right across the maritime sector - we were looking for ways to meet those challenges.

 

We knew that Lubmarine was looking for an Estonian partner and so we started talking. It soon became clear that there was a close synergy in terms of the way we like to operate. The added combination of our strong presence in the Baltic market and our infrastructure, alongside Lubmarine’s global presence, reputation and quality of their products, created a great fit which we formalized in 2024. 

 

So, for our customers, Lubmarine’s customers, or for any operators with vessels visiting Baltic ports, we can deliver market leading lubrication solutions exactly where and when they need them.

 

You talked about a strong symbiosis in the partnership – can you explain the benefits of this?

 

Lubmarine is the strongest European supplier of marine lubricants and a renowned name worldwide. And within the Baltic region we are recognized as the leading supplier of marine lubricants. So, between us, we can offer any vessel in the leading Baltic ports the combination of infrastructure, logistics, a dedication to customer service and performance lubricants.

 

I was recently invited to the partners meeting in Stockholm – and I realized very quickly upon meeting and chatting with other worldwide Lubmarine partners – that this is more like a family - not just business. The close working relationships that are forged between Lubmarine and its partners are consistent no matter their location and built around delivering first class customer service.

 

Do your customers also have the opportunity to utilize Lubmarine’s technical support? 

 

Yes – Lubmarine’s technical support team supplements our own in-house team and it’s a valuable addition to be able to offer this to our customers. Technical support is always very important in the maritime industry. A ship is a complicated and expensive unit so helping keep vessels operating efficiently is invaluable for our customers. 

 

In addition to the in-person technical support and the global labs, we are also able to offer our customers the new suite of Lubmarine’s fully digitalized, interconnected on-board lubricant sampling and testing services, helping optimize their operations, and make data driven decisions.

 

It is still a relatively new relationship with Lubmarine. What are you hopes for this relationship moving forward?

 

We see this as a very strategic partnership that strengthens the offer of performance lubrication products and services to our customers and Lubmarine’s right across the Baltic region. The Lubmarine reputation combined with ours as a leader in this region brings positive opportunities for ourselves, Lubmarine and our combined customers. 

 

You have highlighted the market challenges geo-politically – looking ahead what is an ideal outcome?

 

In our region, we are waiting for geopolitical stability, which we believe will have a positive and significant impact in the wider maritime market and in the business by the opening of greater trade opportunities and a less complex operational environment.

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