A centralised lubrication system and method lubricates cylinder faces in large diesel engines, particularly marine engines. At least one lubricating apparatus has a rotating control shaft preferably running synchronously with the engine main shaft. To make a system that does not have a mechanical drive between the lubricating apparatus and the main shaft, the system is constructed with an AC motor driving the control shaft. Reference means are provided in association with the main shaft, indicating the angular position of the main shaft, and sensor means detect the position of the reference means. The system includes a control unit receiving signals from the sensor and detecting angular position as well as angular speed of the reference means and the main shaft. The control unit is connected with and controls the AC motor (36) for regulating the rotation of the control shaft (18) and thereby actuation of reciprocating pumps providing the cylinder lubrication.