Shaft Power Monitoring Solution Earns BV Type Approval
Ascenz Marorka, a GTT Group company, announced that it has been granted a Type Approval certification for its ShaPoLi solution by the classification society Bureau Veritas.Designed to help shipowners and operators comply with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing ship carbon intensity by 40% by 2030, the solution monitors propeller shaft power and signals an alert in the wheelhouse if it exceeds the EEXI calculated maximum power. The system logs the periods where the limit was exceeded and enables crew to give comments.
ClassNK Amends Rules for Seawater-lubricated Shafts
Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) has joined the major classification societies to amend its rules relating to the inspection of seawater-lubricated propeller shaft systems.The amendment means that ships with open seawater-lubricated propeller shafts that are built to ClassNK rules are subject to the same 15-year shaft withdrawal inspection periods as oil-lubricated shafts and sterntubes, subject to monitoring criteria.The announcement brings ClassNK’s requirements in line with those of other large class societies…
Thordon Optimizes Workboat Rudder with New Bearing Combo
When a 9,280hp workboat returned to service following extensive repairs at the James Marine Paducah River Service yard in Kentucky, U.S.A., it marked the first application of Thordon’s new seal-embedded bearing to an articulating rudder, Thordon Bearings said Monday. Articulating rudders are unlike conventional rudders and can be more costly to repair when things go wrong. They are more susceptible to wear and tear, due to the higher operating pressures and abrasives, and as a result…
SUMED Taps Thordon to Equip Pipeline Service Boats
Egypt’s SUMED pipeline operator Arab Petroleum Pipeline Company (SUMED) has completed the tailshaft conversion to Thordon’s SXL seawater-lubricated bearing system for seven special purpose single point mooring (SPM) service boats.The final vessel in a series of 17.5m (57.4ft) long, 1976–built service boats had its original oil-lubricated tailshaft bearings replaced with the Thordon system at Nefertiti Marine’s Yard-K, in Rosetta Nile, in December 2022. The first vessel, SUMED 10…
Hydrex Conducts Underwater Stern Tube Seal Repair in Algeciras
Last month, a Hydrex diver team carried out an underwater stern tube seal repair on a ro-ro ship berthed in Algeciras, Spain.The ship was suffering from an oil leak, making an on-site repair necessary. Using a Hydrex flexible mobdock, the team was able to carry out the entire operation on-site and underwater, saving the owner an expensive and time-consuming trip to drydock.Once the operation was approved, all preparations were handled swiftly and the lightweight equipment was…
Wärtsilä Helping with Decarbonization of Orient Express' Bulk Carriers
Finland-based marine technology group Wärtsilä will partner with Transworld Group to apply what it says are the most advanced decarbonization modeling capabilities to the bulk carriers sector of Orient Express lines of Dubai.Orient Exrpress is owned by Transworld Group and Managed by Transworld Ship Management (TWSM), one of India's premium private sector ship management firms. The project aims to provide decision-making support by simulating the impact of efficiency upgrade technologies on the vessel’s environmental performance.
Marine Propulsion: Inside Schottel's New SRP-D
The increased performance of the fast-responsive Schottel RudderPropeller Dynamic SRP-D was confirmed by external sources. Initial investigations into the effect of thruster response on DP positioning were carried out in cooperation with MARIN, based in the Netherlands, and Polish ship designer MMC. The results obtained demonstrated much-improved position accuracy and enhanced operability of the vessel.Further calculations made by DNV and simulations from a cooperation with VARD showed that the SRP-D greatly improves the vessel’s operational performance and environmental impact…
Wärtsilä, Berge Bulk in Marine Industry’s "First-ever" Shaft Generator Retrofit
Finland's marine technology company Wärtsilä said Tuesday it had retrofitted an inline shaft generator system on the ‘Berge Toubkal’, a cape-size bulk carrier owned by Singapore-based Berge Bulk, in what it said was an industry first."This is the marine industry’s first-ever shaft generator retrofit, and its successful completion will improve the vessel’s Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) while reducing overall carbon footprint," Wärtsilä said."Shaft generator systems onboard ships are driven by the main engine to supply power to the mains, thus saving fuel and emissions.
ABB's Shaft Generator Systems for COSCO's Ten Container Ships
ABB has secured a contract with the Chinese shipyard COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (Yangzhou) Co. Ltd., to equip 10 China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited container vessels with its permanent magnet shaft generator systems. Due for delivery by the end of 2025, the order comprises systems for six 14000TEU vessels and four 16000TEU vessels."The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is introducing new regulatory standards – the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) – which will come into force in January 2023.
NYK, MTI earn ClassNK Approval for CBM Ship Maintenance Method
NYK and MTI Co., Ltd. received approval from ClassNK for a new condition-based maintenance (CBM) method implemented on NYK-owned coal carrier Noshiro Maru. The certified CBM is a method for monitoring the condition of bearings of large marine diesel engines through temperature data, a method that was adopted in the "CBM Guidelines, Second Edition"4 issued by ClassNK in 2021.In addition, the Diesel Engine Main Bearing Condition Monitoring System, which visualizes bearing temperature data that can be obtained through sensors installed on the main bearings and ship operation data…
Water Lubricated Propeller Shaft Bearings Reduce Fuel Use -Study
Peer-reviewed research by Thordon Bearings into the hydrodynamic lubrication efficiency of a ship’s propeller shaft bearing has found that the use of seawater-lubricated elastomeric polymer bearings reduces fuel consumption.The environmental and financial benefits of adopting a seawater-lubricated propeller shaft system are well documented, but this is the first indication that the arrangement reduces hydrodynamic resistance enough to improve fuel consumption, compared to a conventional…
DNV Launches Class Notation for Enhanced Tailshaft Condition Monitoring and Performance
With its TMON(Oil lubricated, +) notation, DNV said it becomes the world’s first classification society to provide a qualified notation that adds another dimension to propeller shaft and bearing condition monitoring.The new notation serves to further minimize propulsion safety risk and prevent costly equipment failure, building on the benefits of the existing TMON class notation. Current DNV class notations TMON(Oil lubricated) and Shaft align are pre-requisites to meet the requirements for assignment of TMON(Oil lubricated…
Thordon’s SXL Bearings Installed on History-making Ferry Daleela
Thordon Bearings’ Egyptian distributor and integrated services provider Nefertiti Marine has commissioned the water lubricated Thordon SXL propeller shaft bearings installed aboard the 24,112gt ferry Daleela.The 1991-built, 400-passenger capacity RoPax, owned by El-Etehad International and chartered to Scandro Holdings, began operations on the revived Piraeus–Limassol route in June 2022 following an extensive refit in the floating dock operated by the Suez Shipyard in Egypt.Nefertiti Marine supplied a total of 14 Thordon SXL forward…
Thordon Wins Shaft Seals Order
Thordon Bearings’ authorized distributor in Mexico, TZ Industrias, has secured an order to supply the Canadian company’s TG100 shaft seals, equipped with a safe return to port (SRTP) emergency seal, to a quartet of shrimpers operated by Pesquera Axel, one of the country’s leading fishing vessel operators.TZ Industrias will deliver four 127mm (5in) diameter mechanical seals to the Mazatlán-based repair yard Constructora y Reparadora de Buques for installation this June to the 7m (23ft) long fishing vessels Kukulkan…
ABS AIP for "Sterntube-less" Ship
Thordon Bearings said ABS issued an Approval in Principle to the “sterntube-less ship” concept developed in cooperation with the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI), the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and Thordon Bearings Inc.The design replaces a vessel’s sterntube with an irregular shaped chamber that allows a shorter, water-lubricated propeller shaft to be inspected and maintained while the vessel is afloat, without having to withdraw…
LR Approves Neda Maritime’s Power Limitation Technology
The Shaft Power Limitation (ShaPoLi) system, engineered to help optimize tanker engine output ahead of impending EEXI (Energy Efficiency Existing ship) regulations, has gained approval from classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR).Developed by SELMA in conjunction with Tankers Technical Department of Neda Maritime Agency Co Ltd, the system will be fitted on board the Neda-operated 319,000 dwt very large crude carrier (VLCC) Aragona, enabling full use of available engine output…
ABS Grants AIP to SDARI for Approach to Stern Tube Design
ABS has granted Approval in Principle (AIP) to the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI) for its vessel design with a novel aft layout, which eliminates pollution and promotes efficient vessel operations.The SDARI design, developed in cooperation with Thordon Bearings Inc. and the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), introduces a new approach to the vessel’s aft layout, including removal of the stern tube casting, employing seawater for lubrication…
US Navy Taps GA-EMS to Study Propulsor Bearing Concept Designs
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) said on Friday it has been awarded a task order from Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) to conduct a manufacturing assessment of several new propulsor bearing concept designs for U.S. Navy submarines. The task order is under the Propulsor Demonstration Hardware (PDH) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract previously awarded to GA-EMS.“Manufacturing feasibility evaluations such as this are crucial steps in determining whether a new concept design will deliver greater performance…
Thordon Bearings Wins Order from Maritime Partners
Thordon Bearings Reports it has secured a contract to supply a range of water-lubricated and grease-free bearings for installation to several fleet boats under construction at the FMT Shipyard & Repair facility, for workboat owner Maritime Partners.Twelve twin-screw push boats are scheduled to be delivered from the Louisiana shipyard with equipment that includes RiverTough tailshaft bearings, ThorPlas-Blue rudder bearings with Pucker Seals, ThorPlas-Blue steering linkage bushings…
Tech File: ABB Launches New Permanent Magnetic Shaft Generator
The latest in-line shaft generator from ABB is designed to enable ship operators to benefit from the multiple advantages of permanent magnet technology. The new generator brings flexibility and ease of installation to a wide range of vessels including bulk carriers, container carriers, liquid natural gas tankers and ferries transporting passengers and cars.The AMZ 1400 permanent magnet shaft generator is optimized for converter control and enables better efficiency than either induction or electrically excited synchronous machines at both full and partial loading.
Chris-Marine Launches Shaft Power Limitation Solution for EEXI Compliance
Chris-Marine announced the launch of its ShaPoLi solution aiming to help customers comply with the EEXI regulations and monitor and optimize their ship CII ratings.From January 2023, the revised MARPOL Annex VI will enter into force and all existing ships of 400 GT and above must comply with the new EEXI requirements. This means that shipowners must decide on and implement a viable energy efficiency solution to act in accordance with the new regulations.To help its customers adhere to the new energy efficiency requirements…
Thordon Bearings Unveils New Water-lubricated Shaft Seal
Thordon Bearings has debuted a new propeller shaft seal for the commercial shipping industry featuring a unique Safe Return to Port (SRTP) design.Completing the COMPAC open seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearing system, Thordon's new BlueWater Seal is described by the manufacturer as a cost effective, commercial grade axial lip seal specifically designed for merchant shipping fleets. It incorporates Thordon’s emergency SRTP capability, first used in the company’s TG100 and…
Canadian Icebreaker's Thordon Bearings Stand the Test of Time
A Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) icebreaker is helping to keep shipping moving on the Great Lakes throughout the winter with a set of Thordon Bearings’ propeller shaft bearings that were fitted more than 30 years ago.Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Griffon, the oldest vessel of the CCG’s Type 1100 series, was retrofitted with a set of four Thordon XL polymer stave bearings in 1990, 20 years into her service life. Sister ships received Thordon bearings from new throughout the 1980s.
ABB to Deliver Magnet Shaft Generators for Himalaya's Bulk Carriers
ABB will deliver an equipment package for Himalaya Shipping's ultra-large bulk carriers that will feature innovative shaft generators with a Power-Take-Off (PTO) solution, comprising new drive systems and permanent magnet technology.The equipment will improve the energy efficiency of the ultra-large bulk carriers by up to four percent while enhancing operational flexibility, and save about 20 percent of space on board compared to a conventional solution.ABB will deliver an integrated scope of solutions with permanent magnet shaft generators at its core for twelve 210…
Marine Coatings: Propspeed Targets Commercial Sector for Growth
Propspeed launched a new kit packaged specifically for the commercial marine trade professional. Rusty Morgan, VP of Sales & Operations, Americas, discusses with Maritime Reporter TV.New Zealand-based Propspeed, a maker of underwater foul-release coatings for 21 years, recently signaled its intention to enter full-force into the commercial maritime space with the launch of its first coatings kit packaged specifically for the commercial marine trade professional. The Propspeed Commercial Kit includes all that is needed to coat two propellers 165-203cm in size…
Orkim Tankers Fit With Thordon's COMPAC System
China’s Fujian Southeast Shipyard has delivered four in a series of five new product tankers ordered by Malaysia’s Orkim Sdn Bhd.The 9000dwt Orkim Sapphire and Orkim Pearl, and 14,500dwt Orkim Diamond and Orkim Emerald represent the first vessels in the ship operator’s fleet to be fitted with a COMPAC seawater lubricated shafting system from Thordon Bearings.Working with the shipowner’s representative, Shanghai-based CY Engineering, Thordon’s authorized distributor in China, supplied…
Atria Retrofits Its Paraná Push Boat Fleet with Thordon Bearings
One of South America’s leading push boat operators is on its way to completing a fleet-wide retrofit to Thordon’s water lubricated tailshaft and rudder bearings.In 2014, Argentinian owner Atria Logistics UABL, which operates a fleet of workboats on the Paraná River, installed Thordon’s RiverTough tailshaft bearings to its first push boat, the 135-foot-long Concepcion. In 2020, six more vessels in the company’s 26-strong fleet were converted.Egnard Bernal, Thordon Bearing’s Business Development Manager…
Vesconite Bearings Introduces Ready-to-fit Propeller Shaft Bearings
Vesconite Bearings has been hard at work identifying the most common propeller shaft bearings used in the leisure marine industry.It has done so to ensure that the right stock is available when clients need a particular item.Vesconite Bearings has since identified 170 frequently used sizes.Its imperial sizes range from shaft diameters of ¾ through to 6½ inches with a bearing length of 30 inches.In metric sizes, meanwhile, the range extends for shaft diameters from 20 to 155 mm…
Canadian Coast Guard Opts for Thordon Bearings
CCGS Terry Fox, one the largest icebreakers in the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) fleet, has returned to service with new Thordon propeller shaft bearings after concluding that fitting laminate phenolic bearings would extend drydock time and costs.The 88-meter-long vessel, built in the 1980s, had been operating Thordon’s water lubricated elastomeric polymer bearings on both shafts for 24 years. Then in 2018 the port shaft was retrofitted with a European made laminate phenolic-type bearing as part of a shaft alignment contract with the manufacturer.In December 2020…
Thordon Bearings Names Groves VP of Sales
Thordon Bearings has promoted Scott Groves to Vice President – Sales, with a mandate to “grow profitable sales” and build upon the company’s leading position in the global pollution-free bearings and seals markets. He officially started in his new role on March 11, 2021.Terry McGowan, CEO and President, Thomson-Gordon Group, Thordon Bearings’ parent company, said, “I am very pleased to announce that Scott has accepted the VP Sales position. As interim sales director, he has thrown himself into the role, helping us navigate uncertain and challenging times.
ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITY - Stern Tube Seal Manufacturer
BDO Canada Limited (“BDO”), in its capacity as court appointed receiver of 1635536 Ontario Inc. o/a Versitec Marine & Industrial and Versitec Marine USA Inc. (collectively “Versitec” or the “Company”), is inviting offers for the purchase of the assets, undertakings and property of Versitec (the “Property”).Key INVESTMENT HIGHLIGHTS:The Company is located at 4 Stonebridge Dr., Unit 4, Port Colbourne, Ontario, Canada (the “Facility”).Versitec’s service offering includes Vanguard Spares (spare parts kits to overhaul ALL Major OEM’s Seal Assemblies)…
Historic Steam-driven Tug Returns to Service
One of the world’s oldest tugboats, the 117-year-old, steam-driven Daniel Adamson, is set to return to service offering short cruises along the River Weaver, a tributary of the fabled Mersey River in England, after the completion of a project to install new propeller shaft bearings.The 1903-built steamship, rescued from scrap merchants 15 years ago, was fully restored in 2016 at Birkenhead’s Cammell Laird yard, the original builder of the vessel. Thordon Bearings’ SXL water lubricated propeller shaft bearings were installed last year after competitor bearings failed.Chris Simmons…
Thordon Expresses Concern Over New VIDA Proposals
Thordon Bearings has added to the growing concern over proposed changes to Vessel Incidental Discharge National Standards of Performance (VIDA) requirements, citing far reaching environmental consequences if clauses in the existing document are removed.In a statement submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on November 20, 2020, the Canada-based bearings and seals pioneer “strongly questions the removal of some text” in the proposed amendments, stating that…
New Towboat Gets a Complete Thordon Propulsion Package
A 1,600-horsepower towboat delivered to Harvey, La.-based operator L&L Marine Transportation in June is now operational with a full range of Thordon oil-free and grease-free bearings.Designed by Entech, the 65-foot twin-screw towboat Amelia Ray is purpose-built by Rodriquez Shipbuilding in Coden, Ala. for the transportation of petrochemicals along all inland and coastal waters in the southern states of the U.S.In addition to newest towboat addition, L&L Marine operates the 2,000-horsepower Melissa Lee and three 1,200-horsepower vessels Angela Rae, Myrna Ann and Madeleine Michelle.
WE Tech to Equip Six Shell LNG Carriers
WE Tech Solutions said Tuesday it has been awarded a contract to equip six additional newbuild liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers that will be chartered to Shell.The Finnish firm said it will deliver six shipsets of its Solution One for the 174,000m³ capacity LNG carriers, which are chartered to energy major Shell LNG via the owners Knutsen OAS Shipping, J.P.Morgan Asset Management and Korea Line Corporation. The order is an option to the earlier eight contracted in March, now also added with a second option for another six more.The vessels are being built by Hyundai Heavy Industries Co.…
General Atomics Wins Naval Propulsor Contract
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) said it has been awarded a developmental contract by Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division (NSWCCD) to provide manufacturing design drawings, engineering, fabrication, inspection, and assembly of prototype propulsor, shafting and bearing components as well as the equipment needed to support propulsor research and development, testing and evaluation.GA-EMS will work with NSWCCD to develop new propulsor components for both surface ships and submarines.
NMDC to Complete Fleet-Wide Thordon Conversion
The National Marine Dredging Company has replaced the rubber cutter shaft bearings on the 89m dredger Al Khatem, marking a step closer to the Abu Dhabi-based dredging company’s fleet-wide conversion to Thordon Bearings’ seawater lubricated Composite cutterhead bearings and cutterhead intermediate lineshaft bearings.The 1979-built Al Khatem is the latest heavy-duty cutter suction dredger NMDC has converted to the Thordon solution, following the success of similar conversions to the Al Sadr…
Aker Arctic Wins Finnish Navy Supply Deal
The Finnish Defense Forces Logistics Command and Aker Arctic Technology Inc. recently signed a contract for the design, delivery and integration of complete propulsion lines to four Pohjanmaa-class multi-role corvettes for the Finnish Navy. Construction of the vessels is scheduled to begin in 2022 and the four-strong squadron will achieve operational readiness in 2028.Aker Arctic’s scope of delivery includes ice-strengthened controllable pitch propellers and their pitch control mechanisms, propeller shafts, bearings and shaft seals.
Global Tiger Success for Thordon Bearings
Canadian company Thordon Bearings has notched up another success story for a customer in the demanding offshore sector, with a bearing and seal installation in “perfect condition” after over three years of operation.Global Tiger, operated by UAE-based Global Marine Co is a 42m (138ft) crew/supply vessel currently in service in the Middle East. It is one of a pair of all-aluminium crewboats built by Grandweld of Dubai in 2015/2016. The vessel, with 83-person capacity, is powered by a triple-screw Caterpillar propulsion plant…
DMC Steering System For Fisheries Vessel
Damen Marine Components (DMC) is to supply a steering system for Austral Fisheries’ trawler Cape Arkona, which is currently under construction at the Baatbygg yard at Maløy in western Norway. The 1,150 cu m vessel will accommodate 40 people in 26 cabins and is designed so that it can be operated as a freezer-trawler, long-liner and potter vessel, all at the same time.DMC will provide a Van der Velden Timon flap rudder with a heel bearing and a Van der Velden Commander rotary vane steering gear.
World's First Hybrid Bearing Life Model from SKF
Called the Generalized Bearing Life Model (GBLM), its development will ensure that SKF customers and distributors choose the right bearing for the right application, every time.Until now, it has been difficult for engineers to predict whether a hybrid bearing will outperform a steel one in a given application, or whether the possible performance benefits that hybrid bearings enable are worth the extra investment they require. The conventional equations engineers use to calculate the rating life of a bearing do not reflect the real-world performance of hybrid designs.To rectify this issue…
DNV GL Updates Shaft Alignment Design Rules
Classification society DNV GL DNV GL informed that it will update its shaft alignment design rules to differentiate between Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) and mineral oils in stern tubes.The update, will apply from 1 July 2019, and is based on the phase 1 findings from the joint development project (JDP) DNV GL has been operating along with the Swedish Club, Norwegian Hull Club, Gard and Skuld.The JDP was prompted by an upsurge in stern tube bearing failures that…
MN100: The Best 100 firms in the Brown Water Sector
Is your company a Top 100 performer? The application period for this year’s MN100 edition is officially open and underway! Only those who apply can be considered for inclusion.The MN100, always our August print edition, is our annual look at the best 100 firms in the MarineNews, brown water, workboat space. There will never be a better time for you to tell MarineNews just why your firm is one of the best in the business. All of that – the selected 100 companies – will be featured in the August edition of the largest BPA-audited b-to-b publication in this genre.
CCG Provides Icebreaker Nod for Seathigor
Thordon Bearings has received a Canadian Coast Guard contract to supply six award-winning SeaThigor shaft seals for retrofit installation to three purpose-built icebreakers.The 5,910grt CCGS Pierre Radisson, named after the 17th-century French fur trader and explorer, along with sisterships CCGS Amundsen and CCGS Des Groseilliers, will each be retrofitted with two SeaThigor forward seals during scheduled drydockings over the next year.The order, confirmed on the 1st of April,…
Navenor's Opts for Thordon Bearing
Thordon Bearings has completed a range of water-lubricated and grease-free bearing installations to a third salt lugger in the Salinor/Navenor fleet, following the successful retrofitting of bearings to problematic newbuilds.The Brazilian owner opted for the Thordon package following the failure of the bearings on two newbuilds at the Manaus Shipyard delivered in 2015.The salt carrier Nossa Sra. das Das Vitorias was retrofitted with Thordon’s SXL propeller shaft bearings after just three weeks of operation…
Concierge Yacht Repair, Service and Maintenance for Engine Rooms
As vessels increase in size, engine rooms increase in complexity. With superyachts approaching the size of small ships, qualified engineers with commercial and military experience operating larger vessels effectively prevent and troubleshoot problems.FHG Marine Engineering (FHGME) is a niche contractor with a business model providing concierge mobile preventative and routine yacht maintenance with emergency repair to luxury yachts in South Florida, minimizing downtime for vessels with 24-7 operations.
Thordon Advises on VGP Delay
Thordon Bearings has advised its customers with newbuilds under construction to make sure they have the necessary documentation in place permitting operations in U.S. waters prior to 18th December 2018.The advice follows the October 10 announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that the 2013 Vessel General Permit, due to expire in December 2018, will now be administratively continued till at least March 2019, when an updated version, VGP 3.0, will be introduced.“The delay in introducing VGP 3.0 means that operators of existing vessels looking to operate in U.S.
Thordon Bearings Strengthens European Presence
Thordon Bearings, the provider of bearing solutions for marine, has signed sales and distribution agreements with St. Petersburg-based Industrial & Marine Projects (IMPRO) and Tallinn’s Marine Ecology Equipment (MEE), in a development that anticipates the introduction of more stringent pollution rules for European waterways.The appointment of new distributors for Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia and Azerbaijan coincides with concern that more should be done to reduce the impact…
A Containership Goes Green With Vesconite
When the stern tube bearing on the 490' x 75' container ship M/V Marine Rickmers began to fail, Durban, South Africa-based Elgin Brown & Hamer (EBH South Africa) replaced it with state-of-the-art, pollution-free Vesconite. The innovative self-lubricating polymer is far superior to oil-lubricated lignum vitae, white metal and composite bearings, especially with the implementation of ever more stringent environmental regulations.Vesconite doesn't swell in water and machines to +/-0.001", so tight tolerances are always ensured.
Oldendorff Orders Shaft Power Torque Meters
U.K. based Datum Electronics has been awarded a contract from Oldendorff Carriers to supply its owned fleet with Datum Shaft Power Meter systems to seamlessly integrate with various existing ship performance monitoring systems.The addition of shaft power torque meters will help Oldendorff to further optimize fuel consumption and reduce emissions as the owner continues implementing fleet and ship performance monitoring systems aimed at reducing carbon footprint and improving technical…
Lomar's Super-Eco Boxships Mark Breakthrough for Thordon Bearings
Delaware Trader, the first of two 2,700TEU newbuild containerships that China’s Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard is delivering to Lomar Shipping this year, has been fitted with a seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearing system from Thordon Bearings.The vessel represents another breakthrough for Thordon Bearings’ COMPAC seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearing system in the European-owned containership segment.London-headquartered Lomar Shipping, a privately-owned ship owning and management company…
Thordon Bearings, Heddle Marine Partner for Propeller Shaft Conversions
Thordon Bearings Inc. and Heddle Marine Service Inc. have signed a cooperative agreement under which the Canada-based ship repair company will work together with Thordon Bearings Inc. to promote the conversion of ships’ oil lubricated propeller shafts to Thordon’s COMPAC open seawater lubricated bearing system.The agreement will create an action plan in which a specialist team, comprised of Heddle Marine and Thordon Bearings’ personnel, to offer support to ship managers and owners…
Damen to Equip Chile's Antarctic Research Vessel
Damen Marine Components has won a contract to supply steering gear, rudders and stern tube parts for an Antarctic research vessel of the Chilean Navy, under LRS -Polar 5 Class notation. The contract was awarded by ASMAR Talcahuano Shipyard, Chile. Design of the vessel was done in collaboration with VARD Canada.Damen Marine Components will be supplying twin COMMANDER Ram-Type electro-hydraulic steering gear units, twin ATLANTIC semi-spade rudders and twin stern tube casting parts. The vessel will be capable of speeds up to 15 knots.
VescoPlastics Celebrates 60
This year is the 60th anniversary of VescoPlastics and Vesconite, its first engineering plastic. The company's line of thermopolymers is used extensively in the marine, agriculture, heavy off-road equipment, pump, and hydroelectric and renewable energy industries.Founded by Alain Leger, an entrepreneurial engineer, Vesconite started in response to a need for an alternative to nylon bushings, which swelled and seized in humid underground mines. Years of testing resulted in a thermopolymer that had exceptionally low friction properties and could be machined to close tolerances.
Alexis Marine To Retrofit Rivertough to Salt Lugger
Louisiana-based inland workboat operator Alexis Marine has awarded a supply contract to Thordon Bearings for the retrofitting of 6in diameter RiverTough bearings to MV Kristin Alexis, the 60ft twin-screw towboat built by Bollinger Shipyard in 1969.Both the vessel’s shafts will be withdrawn at New Orleans yard Bayou Fabricators and Machine Works, where the original rubber bearings will be replaced with Thordon’s RiverTough tailshaft bearings.The polymer bearing manufacturer will…
New Grease Extends Life, Lowers Temp of Tugboat Shaft Bearings
How does a tugboat operator with over 26 vessels used in docking, escort, ocean towing and articulated barge service get control of maintenance issues? In this case, by switching to Klüberplex BEM 41-132 grease to lower operating temperatures between 2 and 10 degrees Fahrenheit (3.6 and 18 Celsius), which significantly extends grease and bearing life. The tugboat business’ success depends on the reliability of their assets and the ability to provide superior customer service.
Twiflex: Turning, Locking & Braking System
Regular maintenance of propulsion shafts and propellers requires shafts to be aligned and locked in place so that ships’ engineers can perform the needed work. A Turning, Locking & Braking (TLB) System from Twiflex Ltd. provides a compact solution to allow the shaft position to be set and locked when the vessel is stationary. The Twiflex TLB consolidates three usually separate interfaces and functions into one design package. The modular TLB system is configured to allow customers to select and install one of the turning…
OTI Installs Thordon's Largest TG100 Seal
Offshore Towing Inc (OTI) has completed the refurbishment of its 1974-built 9000hp-class tug Zion Falgout at the Conrad Deepwater shipyard, in Morgan City, La. The milestone project involved the retrofitting of TG100 seals in what marks OTI’s first mechanical shaft seal installation and the largest diameter TG100 series seals ever supplied by Thordon Bearings. An 11.75in (298mm) diameter seal was installed to each propeller shaft of the 66.88t bollard pull twin-screw workhorse.
Tropical Opts for Seawater Lubricated Shaft Package
Thordon Bearings’ Jacksonville-based distributor Coppedge Marine has secured an order with Tropical Shipping for the COMPAC seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearing system. The COMPAC systems destined for two 300TEU box ships under construction in China, at the Guangzhou Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard, will represent a first reference for COMPAC with this ship owner. “Tropical Shipping is a long-standing customer to whom we have supplied various Thordon equipment over the years,” said Ed Coppedge, Vice-President, Coppedge Marine.
Wärtsilä Wins Contract for New CLdN RoRos
Wärtsilä said it has been awarded a contract to supply controllable pitch propellers and power take off / power take home (PTO/PTH) shaft generator systems for two new RoRo vessels being built at the Uljanik shipyard in Croatia. The ships have been ordered by the Luxembourg based operator, CLdN Ro-Ro SA. There is an option for an additional two vessels. Wärtsilä, which booked its orders in December 2016 and February 2017, will supply the vessels with its latest design, WCP G-hub, optimized for high power density.
ABB Shaft Generators, Turbochargers for DFDS Vessels
ABB shaft generators will raise the energy efficiency on two DFDS vessels which have been designed to meet the latest environmental regulations. Two shaft generators will be installed in each of the cargo Ro-Ro ships allowing the main engines to operate at a wider, more optimal speed range. The shaft generator system takes its power from main engines, thereby increasing safety if there is a failure on the auxiliary engine. The ships’ main engines will also be turbocharged by ABB’s latest generation technology.
Thordon, DDW-D Partner for Shaft Line Conversions
Thordon Bearings and Drydocks World-Dubai (DDW-D) have signed an agreement under which the UAE-based shipyard will work together with Thordon Bearings Inc. to promote the conversion of ships’ oil lubricated propeller shafts to Thordon’s COMPAC open seawater lubricated bearing system. The agreement will create an action plan in which a specialist team, comprised of Drydocks World-Dubai and Thordon Bearings’ personnel, offer support to ship managers and owners looking to ensure…
AEGIR-Marine Adds Stabilizer Repair Services
AEGIR-Marine, full service provider for stern tube seals and propulsion systems for the maritime industry, said it has added stabilizer and steering gear repair services to its portfolio of maritime services. In February 2017 the company reinforced its team with Alan, a specialist in stabilizer engineering services. The Dutch company works with brand independent parts and provides service and parts for all major propulsion systems. AEGIR-Marine is now able to offer its ship owning customers a complete and integrated overhaul service.
First Aluminum Hull Reference for Thordon Seal
Fullers Group’s has provided a first reference for Thordon Bearings’ TG100 seal on an aluminum hulled fast ferry. The New Zealand ferry operator’s new 34.9m (114.5 ft.) catamaran Korora, delivered from the Q-West shipyard in December, features a water lubricated propeller shaft arrangement based around a Henley Integrated Propulsion System. Auckland-headquartered Henley Group, an approved Thordon distributor, with a history dating to 1917, secured the contract to design and supply Korora’s complete drivetrain…