Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has ordered water lubricated Thordon COMPAC propeller shaft bearing systems for two new cruise ships being built for Princess Cruises at the Nagasaki Shipyard in Japan. The two 110,000+ ton ships will be larger than the “Grand” class ships delivered from Italy. In addition, the MHI ships will incorporate a gas turbine along with four diesel engines in a new propulsion arrangement.

Thordon Bearings is supplying a split carrier design that allows easy removal of the bearings with the shaft still in place. The elastomeric polymer alloy bearing inserts for the 642 mm dia. propeller shafts are in Thordon’s COMPAC configuration - designed to promote hydrodynamic operation at low shaft speeds. A source of sea water will be provided to the bearings to ensure a sufficient flow for lubrication and adequate cooling water under all operating conditions for this straightforward, reliable and pollution free propeller shaft bearing system.

Oil leakage from oil lubricated stern tube bearing systems is a significant source of oil pollution. As global environmental awareness and the enactment of legislation to protect the environment increases, Thordon’s COMPAC system eliminates port fines, delays, bad publicity and potential criminal liability that can result from any oil leakage, however small.