Thordon Bearings chosen by Great Lakes operator

This latest delivery marks the completion of Thordon installations across all three 35,000-dwt, self-discharging bulkers built for operation in North America’s inland waterways.

The state-of-the-art vessels, each measuring 225 meters in length and designed to Seawaymax dimensions, are the latest in a line of Canadian-owned ships to integrate Thordon’s full COMPAC package. It includes elastomeric polymer water-lubricated bearings, the ThorShield propeller shaft corrosion protection system, the Thordon Water Quality Package, and the Thordon Bearing Condition Monitoring system (BCMv2). Built as part of the fleet renewal program, these vessels aim to reduce carbon intensity by 40% compared to their predecessors.

With this installation, the shipowner now operates 17 vessels equipped with Thordon’s water-lubricated COMPAC systems. The oil-free COMPAC bearings eliminate the risk of oil discharge into the surrounding waters, a critical factor given strict environmental regulations governing Great Lakes operations.

“These vessels operate solely within the freshwater ecosystem of the Great Lakes, where any risk of oil leakage is strictly controlled,” stated José Duarte, marine business development manager – North America at Thordon Bearings. “Thordon has a long-standing relationship with Great Lakes operators such as American Steamship, Canada Steamship Lines, Algoma Central, Interlake Steamship, and McKeil Marine. Over 120 vessels in the region now utilise Thordon’s water-lubricated bearing systems to help maintain these pristine waters.”

Craig Carter, VP of business development at Thordon Bearings, highlighted growing industry interest in water-lubricated shaft bearing technology, particularly among Canadian operators focused on environmental stewardship. “We are encouraged by the ongoing commitment of Canadian shipowners to install COMPAC systems. These water-lubricated bearings provide a sustainable, oil-free alternative that effectively mitigates the risk of oil pollution. Based on the reliability of our current installations, we anticipate continued strong demand for COMPAC systems across the Great Lakes fleet,” he noted.

Supporting the implementation of Thordon’s technology at overseas shipyards, such as those in China where many large Canadian vessels are constructed, Thordon’s distributor, CY Engineering, provides essential technical and practical support to ensure optimal installation and integration into newbuild projects. “A successful installation relies not only on Thordon’s technology but also on our robust global support network,” Duarte added.

The COMPAC bearing itself is engineered from a cross-linked polymer alloy, offering superior low-friction properties, enhanced abrasion resistance, and a visco-elastic quality that optimizes hydrodynamic performance for extended operational life. Unlike conventional laminated materials, this homogenous polymer delivers consistent wear and friction characteristics across the bearing’s lifecycle.

To complement the COMPAC system, Thordon’s shaft coating provides enhanced corrosion protection, extending the interval for shaft withdrawals. Formulated for high adhesion, impact and abrasion resistance, as well as flexibility for bending and torsional stresses, the coating further enhances the durability of the shaft components.

The COMPAC package also includes Thordon’s BCMv2, a real-time bearing condition monitoring system that meets all class society requirements for wear monitoring. BCMv2 provides vessel engineers with one-touch remote access to bearing clearance data, reducing the need for diver inspections to measure bearing wear.