Bergesen Specify Oil Free Stern Tube Bearing Systems for LNG Newbuilds at Daewoo
15 May 2003
Thordon Bearings Inc. of Canada recently received orders for four more water-based Thor-Lube sealed stern tube bearing systems for newbuild LNG carriers. The four vessels are being built for Bergesen DY ASA of Norway at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd of South Korea. Bergesen, the world’s largest owner and operator of gas carriers are taking delivery of three vessels in 2005, and one in 2006. LNG owners and operators have now specified a total of 11 Thor-Lube stern tube bearing systems within the past year.
Thor-Lube is Thordon Bearing’s environmentally friendly option to eliminate oil filled stern tubes comprising water-based TL3G lubricant, Thordon XL non-metallic elastomeric bearings and a lubricant circulation and monitoring system. Water soluble TL3G lubricant is biodegradable and leaves no sheen should accidental leakage ever occur, eliminating the risk of pollution and associated fines. TL3G is specifically formulated to provide a viscosity level similar to an SAE 30 mineral oil in the operating temperature range. In the event of a seal failure and subsequent loss or contamination of the lubricant in the stern tube, the system can be easily converted to operate on emergency seawater lubrication ensuring safe passage to port.
Thordon Bearings Inc. is the leading supplier of environmentally friendly propeller shaft and rudder bearings systems to the global marine market. Propeller shaft bearing system options include the sealed Thor-Lube system using the environmentally friendly Thor-Lube lubricant developed by Thordon Bearings, as well as the open, water lubricated COMPAC system.
