Sign up
Log in Sign up
Tue 24 Nov 2015, 14:55 GMT

'Cost-effective' pollution solution wins award


Seawater-lubricated propeller shaft bearing system, COMPAC, is designed to reduce oil seepage.

The seawater-lubricated propeller shaft bearing system of Canada-headquartered Thordon Bearings, COMPAC [pictured], won the Tanker Shipping & Trade Environment Award in London this week, on November 22, following a verdict that the system allows shipowners to cost-effectively comply with stringent marine pollution rules.

Dr Karen Purnell, Managing Director of the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF), who sat on the award judging panel alongside representatives from INTERTANKO, IACS, UK MCA and Scorpio Tankers, said: "It is a challenge to identify opportunities that assist shipowners in meeting environmental standards cost-effectively and that don't end up creating new environmental problems. The COMPAC system meets this challenge and it is for that reason - and the system's simplicity - that we were able to present Thordon Bearings with the award."

Dr Purnell added that the award-winning COMPAC system will reduce oil seepage into the marine environment and, as such, complements the ITOPF's remit.

"Thordon Bearings has an established pedigree and is very transparent about the system's CAPEX and operational cost savings. The COMPAC system is not limited in scope and can be applied to all types of vessels, so has a good chance of succeeding," she said.

Clearly delighted with the award, George Morrison, Thordon Bearings' Regional Manager West Europe and Africa, said: "To have won this year's Tanker Shipping & Trade Award is the icing on the cake of a very good year for Thordon Bearings.

"As a result of new regulations and endeavours to strengthen corporate social responsibilities more and more shipowners are eschewing oil-lubricated propeller shaft bearings in favour of seawater-lubricated propeller shaft systems. We now have over 2000 ships equipped with Thordon's COMPAC with many more on order."

Thordon's COMPAC bearing system is designed to prevent the seepage of millions of litres of oil into the world's oceans and reduce ship operating costs associated with aft seals and lubricating oil.

"Risk of costly emergency aft seal repairs is eliminated, while the higher CAPEX associated with corrosion protection for Thordon systems are more than offset by lower maintenance and operational costs associated with the oil based system. And there is no risk of pollution," Thordon Bearings said.

Image: Thordon Bearings' seawater-lubricated propeller shaft bearing system, COMPAC.

Washington State Hybrid-Electric 160-Auto Ferry vessel render. Corvus Energy to supply battery systems for Washington State Ferries hybrid vessels  

ABB selects Corvus for two new 160-vehicle ferries as part of $3.98bn electrification plan.
Vinssen and Mana Engineering sign MoU. Vinssen, Mana Engineering partner on hydrogen fuel cell retrofit for 800-teu feeder vessel  

South Korean and Dutch firms to pursue Lloyd’s Register approval for hybrid retrofit concept.
Hercules Elisabeth vessel. Hercules Tanker Management takes delivery of second Ultra-Spec vessel in China  

Hercules Elisabeth is the second of 10 hybrid-ready tankers designed for alternative fuels.
Wolf 1 vessel. Petrol Ofisi launches fuel supply tanker Wolf 1  

Turkish bunker supplier adds 1,750-dwt vessel with alternative fuel infrastructure to fleet.
BIMCO meeting. BIMCO to convene for adoption of biofuel clause and ETS provisions at February meeting  

Documentary Committee to consider new contractual frameworks for alternative fuels and emission trading scheme compliance.
Sea Change II vessel render. Incat Crowther and Switch Maritime develop 150-passenger hydrogen ferry for New York  

Design work begins on 28-metre vessel with 720 kg hydrogen capacity and 25-knot speed.
Aerial view of a container vessel. HIF Global signs heads of agreement with German eFuel One for 100,000 tonnes of e-methanol annually  

Deal covers supply from HIF’s Uruguay project, with e-methanol meeting EU RED III standards.
Welcoming of Kota Odyssey at Jordan’s Aqaba Container Terminal. PIL’s LNG-powered vessel makes maiden call at Jordan’s Aqaba port  

Kota Odyssey is Pacific International Lines’ first LNG-fuelled ship to call at the Red Sea port.
Celsius vessel. RMK Marine to equip Celsius LNG bunker vessel with gas combustion unit  

Turkish shipbuilder adds specialised equipment to support cool-down and gassing-up operations for LNG vessels.
CSL and CMA CGM contract signing. Cochin Shipyard signs contract with CMA CGM for six LNG-fuelled container vessels  

Indian shipbuilder to construct vessels for French shipping company.




 Recommended