A mechanical seal assembly has two axially-spaced apart seals and including a rotary component that includes rotational members of each axially-spaced apart seal and a stationary component that includes stationary sealing members of each seal. A sleeve is located radially inwards of the rotational sealing members. An element, such as fluid ports, directs barrier or buffer fluid towards the sleeve and between the two axially-spaced apart seals. The sleeve is provided on its outer surface with means, such as recesses or protuberances, which displace barrier/buffer fluid axially towards both axially-spaced apart seals.