Scope
Description
The procurement of Castrol based oils from a Castrol Marine approved distributor for the current fleet,
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £294,000 excluding VAT
- £300,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
31 July 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 15 August 2025 to 31 March 2030
- 4 years, 7 months, 17 days
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 09211000 - Lubricating oils and lubricating agents
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
Single supplier - technical reasons
The vessels currently in service require specific grades of lubricants, all of which must be compliant with the manufacturer's recommendations. The engineering configuration of the fleet is complex, and the use of non-approved or incompatible lubricants introduces considerable technical risk. The mixing of oils from different manufacturers is not advised and could lead to equipment malfunction, invalidate manufacturer warranties, and ultimately compromise vessel performance and safety. Therefore, continuity in the supply of Castrol products from an authorised distributor is essential.
Williams Shipping and Lubricants are Castrol Oils appointed England & Wales distributor and can maintain a reliable and consistent stock of all necessary Castrol lubricants to meet operational demands. This is critical in ensuring minimal disruption to fleet availability and reducing the risk of unplanned maintenance or extended downtime. Using multiple suppliers-even under a phased transition-would introduce unnecessary complications, including:
Increased risk of incompatible or incorrect lubricants being used.
Logistical challenges in managing the storage and distribution of multiple oil variants.
The impracticality and operational risks of running down large volumes of oil already held in onboard tanks.
Running down the existing onboard supply in order to transition to new lubricants is not operationally viable. It poses a direct risk to vessel availability, potentially leads to oil wastage amounting to hundreds of litres per vessel and contradicts both safety and environmental best practice.
Supplier
Williams Shipping and Lubricants
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWCP-1978-XTBV
Manor house avenue, millbrook
southhampton
SO15 0LF
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ32 - Southampton
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1
Contracting authority
Home Office
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWGC-6513-PQLZ
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Email: name@homeoffice.gov.uk
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government