Eco containerships opt for Thordon

The X-Press Mekong and X-Press Pearl both feature Thordon’s COMPAC propeller shaft bearings, bronze shaft liners, a water quality package, ThorShield shaft protection coating and the company’s proprietary bearing condition monitoring system.

“Based on their experience with the system installed aboard the 2018-built X-Press Kabru, which is based on the same Super Eco 2700 design, the owner specifically wanted the arrangement for its newbuilds,” said Sam Williams, Thordon Bearings’ regional manager for Asia and Greece.

The X-Press Mekong and X-Press Pearl are the fourth and fifth ships to be built based on the Super Eco 2700 design to use Thordon’s water lubricated system.

All the vessels have been designed to meet DNV GL’s tailshaft monitoring notation TMON, which means a water-lubricated shaft has the same extended shaft withdrawal inspection periods as an oil-lubricated system. “The move away from an oil-lubricated shaft to a more environmentally acceptable solution was a significant motivation,” explained Mr Williams.

Liner shipping companies, in particular, are avoiding oil-lubricated propeller shaft bearings in favour of a seawater-lubricated system. Alex Li, managing director of CY Engineering, said, “The Thordon system is one of a number of environmentally sustainable solutions now widely adopted across Chinese yards to meet environmental sustainability goals. About 40 shipyards are experienced with the arrangement and are enthusiastic about the COMPAC system.”