Chinese shipbuilders spearhead the return to water lubrication

The latest order comes from COSCO Dalian Shipyard, which will install 600mm diameter COMPAC propeller shaft bearings, Thordon’s water quality packages (WQP), ThorShield shaft coatings and bronze shaft liners to three 62,000dwt multi-purpose vessels under construction for COSCO Shipping.

“This latest order is significant in that it shows Chinese shipbuilders commitment to the Chinese government’s wider environmental strategy to reduce industry-borne emissions and pollutants,” said Alex Li, managing director, CY Engineering, Thordon Bearings’ partner in China, which secured the order.

“Thordon’s COMPAC water lubricated propeller shaft system is now becoming the standard arrangement for Chinese shipbuilders.”

Mr Li is referring to recent orders for COMPAC from the Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard and the Shanghai Shipyard, of which the latter has installed the water lubricated bearing system to 15 newbuilds to date.

Chinese market

In November, Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard successfully installed Thordon’s COMPAC system to two newbuild containerships under construction for US-based Tropical Shipping. And later this month, the first of two 2700 teu containerships with COMPAC, Delaware Trader, will undergo sea trials for a UK-based owner.

Craig Carter, Thordon’s director of marketing and customer service, added: “China’s ongoing commitment to reducing pollution across a number of industries is indicative in the work Chinese shipbuilders are doing to environmentally future-proof their newbuildings.”

“The shipping industry is returning to seawater-lubricated systems for a number of commercial and technical reasons and Chinese shipyards have been quick to understand the benefits of a COMPAC installation.”

Thordon Bearings and CY Engineering will be showcasing the COMPAC water lubricated propeller shaft arrangement at Marintec in Hall N2, Booth E61.