Shaftline Products News

Water lubricated Thordon Composite cutterhead shaft bearings have performed well for nine years on one of the largest cutter suction dredgers in the world–Dredging, Environmental and Marine Engineering N.V. (DEME)’s D'Artagnan (28,200 kW total installed power). The vessel had a major dry docking at Drydocks World-Dubai in February 2014 where the shaft was removed, and bearings and shaft inspected. Originally built in 2005, the D'Artagnanself-propelled cutter suction dredgeris involved in very heavy rock-breaking having a cutting power for operations in rock soils of 6000 kW.

Thordon Bearings Inc. has launched the newest addition to their grease‐free polymer lineup: ThorPlas‐Blue. The lifetime lubricated bearing formula is capable of operating pressures up to 45MPa (6,527 psi) and can be easily back‐fit into virtually all deck machinery applications where greased bronze is currently installed. ThorPlas‐Blue was developed as a maintenance‐free solution to replaced greased bronze bearings as well as eliminate a source of pollution. Deck machinery and steering gear bearings require frequent maintenance and grease lubrication.

Eco-conscious Carisbrooke opts for seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearings on latest newbuildings. The Vectis Eagle, an 8500 dwt multi-purpose dry cargo vessel, is Carisbrooke Shipping’s latest newbuild and first of their fleet to be fitted with Thordon COMPAC seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearings. The Finnish/Swedish 1A Ice-Class vessel launched in September 2011 and is currently carrying out its maiden voyage through the Panama Canal travelling from China to Haiti and Brazil.

Sixteen –year veteran, George Morrison has been appointed the Area Sales Manager for Western Europe replacing retiring Campbell Cunningham. According to Thordon’s Commercial Director, Jan Willem de Jong, George’s experience and energy will be a catalyst for maintaining our strong growth in Western Europe. “George is the perfect leader to develop our existing and new products with our strong distribution network”, said de Jong. “He brings a wealth of bearing and seals experience combined with sales…

Mill Log Marine of Burnaby, B.C. has been appointed the authorized Distributor in British Columbia for Canadian manufacturer, Thordon Bearings replacing W.L. Marine. With this agreement, Mill Log Marine becomes the stocking distributor for the world’s largest manufacturer of non-metallic oil and grease free bearing systems. “Mill Log Marine’s reputation, expertise and knowledge of the marine market gives us great confidence in knowing that our products will be strongly supported in western Canada”, added Jan Willem de Jong, Commercial Director, Thordon Bearings Inc. Don Lindsey, Director of Sales & Marketing for Mill Log Marine stated: “Thordon Bearings Inc. Thordon Bearings Inc.

Canadian manufacturer, Thordon Bearings’ seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearings have been shortlisted for the Ocean Environmental Protection Award at the 2011 Sustainable Shipping Awards to be held in London, England, July 7, 2011. There are currently over 2000 ships using Thordon seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearings and that list is growing. Thordon’s bearing system completely eliminates oil from the ship stern tube by using seawater as the lubrication medium and Thordon non-metallic bearings in place of the metal bearings.

On May 26, 1998, then the largest cruise ship in the world, 109,000 GT Grand Princess, made her inaugural voyage with a 12 night cruise from Barcelona to Istanbul. Unlike contemporary cruise vessels at the time, she was fitted with seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearings. Due to her size, risk studies completed by the technical team at Princess Cruises/P&O, in conjunction with the shipbuilder, Fincantieri, indicated that few drydocks could take a vessel of this size. Any unscheduled drydocking to repair a stern tube seal leaking oil could result in substantial financial losses…

Istanbul Naval Shipyards has installed Thordon COMPAC seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearings on the new Turkish Navy Milgem Frigates. The keel was laid for the first vessel, TCG Heybeliada (F-511), in July 2005. Launched in September 2008, the vessel is scheduled to commission in early 2011. The second vessel in class, TCG Büyükada (F-512), was laid in September 2008. It is scheduled to be launched in 2010 and commissioned in 2013. The Milgem class frigates are 324 ft in length with a displacement of 2000 tons.