Thordon Reports Big Orders from Chinese Shipyards
Thordon Bearings has received an order for a total of 20 seawater-lubricated COMPAC Propeller Shaft Bearing Systems for Chinese shipyards, marking the Canadian company’s most significant order for commercial vessels.
Thordon Bearings, a manufacturer of advanced seawater-lubricated stern tube bearing systems, will supply COMPAC and Thordon Water Quality Packages for installation to various merchant and offshore newbuilds under construction for an undisclosed Chinese shipowner.
Craig Carter, Director of Marketing & Customer Service, Thordon Bearings, said, “The magnitude of this order is indicative of a changing market. Traditionally, COMPAC’s core market has been cruise and naval ships, with over 2,000 references across these sectors. But whether it’s a consequence of more stringent environment legislation, the higher cost of new EALs (Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants), or increasing corporate social responsibility, we are seeing a marked increase in the number of quotes for seawater-lubricated systems from owners of merchant and offshore tonnage. The use of the COMPAC system is proven to deliver significant operational cost savings with zero risk of operational oil pollution.”
This extensive contract follows the shipowner’s successful operational experience of the COMPAC system aboard twelve 32,000dwt bulk carriers and three 18,500dwt PCTCs (pure car/truck carriers).
COMPAC packages will be delivered to China’s GSI shipyard for installation to a 90,000dwt semi-submersible heavy transport vessel and three 50,000dwt bulk carriers. Huang Pu Wenchong Shipbuilding will receive COMPAC systems for three 50,000dwt semi-submersibles and four 36,000dwt bulk carriers.
Other orders include those for four AHTS vessels under construction at Dalian; a 2D seismic vessel and a 28,000dwt heavy-lift ship at Shanghai Shipyard; two bulk carriers entrusted to the Shanghaiguan Shipyard; and a 12,800 bitumen tanker contracted to Qingshan.
“We are seeing more and more Chinese shipyards specifying the COMAPAC system in their standard designs now. Unlike the oil-lubricated variety, a seawater-lubricated propeller shaft does not require an aft seal making it quicker and less complicated to install,” said Carter.
COMPAC systems and Thordon Water Quality packages will be delivered to the shipyards throughout 2015 and 2016.
