Thordon’s COMPAC for US’ Largest Containerships
Posted by Eric Haun
Thordon Bearings has signed a contract to supply
COMPAC seawater-lubricated propeller shaft bearing solutions to
two Jones Act containerships under construction at the Aker
Philadelphia Shipyard Inc. (APSI) for Matson Navigation Company,
Inc.
The order represents the first large containership reference for
the manufacturer and the largest commercial ship propeller shafts
to be fitted with COMPAC bearings, Thordon noted.
The 3600TEU Aloha Class vessels, the largest Jones Act
containerships ever built, will each feature a COMPAC bearing
system for a 930mm diameter shaft driving an 8.1m diameter fixed
pitch propeller.
Matt Cox, President and CEO, Matson, said, "These new ships are
the future for Hawaii shipping and will bring a new level of
efficiency and effectiveness to our service. The substantial
investment in new technology underscores Matson's long-term
commitment to Hawaii and our desire to serve the islands in the
best, most environmentally friendly way into the future."
Craig Carter, Thordon Bearings' Head of Marketing and Customer
Services, said, "The COMPAC solution is very much in keeping
with Matson's environmental and sustainability objectives. As
with all its vessels, the Aloha-class will feature a number of
environmentally safe technologies, but the addition of
seawater-lubricated shaft bearings will reduce even further the
impact its operations have on the marine environment. Our COMPAC
system obviates completely the risk of non-compliance with U.S.
Vessel General Permit stern tube oil to sea interface rules and
ensures that the vessels can operate safely, responsibly and
legally in U.S. waters."
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ruled in December
2013 that vessels over 24 meters must adopt environmentally
acceptable lubricants (EALs) in all oil-to-sea interfaces before
their next drydocking, recommending that seawater lubricated
bearings be used in propeller shaft lines.
David Marshall, Thordon Bearings Senior Regional Manager, said,
"This order is one of the most important commercial ship
contracts we have ever received for the COMPAC solution. Not only
does it provide us with a number of significant 'firsts', it
shows that liner companies trading in U.S. waters are taking the
new VGP rules very seriously. That Matson has become the first
liner company to make the switch delivers confidence to the
market that seawater-lubrication is the only environmentally and
commercially acceptable solution to operational oil pollution."
Each 259-meter long, DNV GL classed vessel features double hull
fuel tanks, a freshwater ballast system and an energy-efficient
hull form and a dual-fuel propulsion system future-proofed for
conversion to LNG. Main engine output is rated at 38,000kW at
84rev/min to deliver a service speed of 23kts.
Thordon's scope of supply includes COMPAC elastomeric bearings
with a tapered keyset, a Thordon Water Quality package, bronze
liners and Thor-Coat shaft coating, meeting classification
requirements for extended shaft withdrawal periods.
When delivered from the Aker Philadelphia Shipyard in the third
and fourth quarters 2018, the Aloha newbuilds will enter service
on Matson's West Coast-Hawaii route in anticipation of an
increased demand for higher cargo capacity and diversity.
Oct 13, 2015