(Burlington, Canada – November 4, 2014) The Viking Star, a 47,800 GT cruise ship, is one of three Viking Ocean Cruises’ newbuilds to opt for Thordon COMPAC seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearings. Constructed at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard, the 944 passenger Viking Star is the first of three new ships equipped with seawater lubricated propeller shafts instead of oil lubrication.
"We chose Thordon COMPAC for all our newbuildings because of the long experience of these seawater lubricated bearings which present no risk of oil pollution. With the elimination of aft seal maintenance and no oil required, we are expecting considerable cost savings over the life of the vessels," says Richard Goodwin, Vice President-Engineering at Viking Ocean Cruises.
Designed with the environment in mind, Viking’s ocean ships feature energy-efficient hybrid engines, hydro-dynamically optimized streamlined hulls and bows for maximum fuel efficiency, onboard solar panels, and equipment that minimizes exhaust pollution. And it meets the strictest environmental regulations with Thordon’s pollution-free bearings with zero risk of oil discharges, as no oil is used.
The Viking Star has a Thordon COMPAC tapered key bearing design with a shaft size of 464mm (18.268”).
Thordon COMPAC propeller shaft bearings completely eliminate the risk of oil discharges as seawater is used as lubrication instead of expensive biodegradable oils, and eliminating the need for an aft seal means that no complicated aft seal is required. Seawater is taken from the sea, pumped through the bearings, and returned back to the sea. There is no risk of damage to an aft seal by a fishing net or rope as there is no aft seal. This results in lower in-service maintenance costs, the elimination of storage, sampling, and disposal of oils, and meets all U.S. EPA Vessel General Permit requirements.
The pollution of the world’s oceans and seas has become a matter of increasing international concern for many. As stricter environmental legislation and improved pollution detection methods are becoming the norm in Canada, the United States of America, and the European Union, ship owners like Viking Ocean Cruises are proactively looking for new ways to reduce all sources of pollution from their ships. Choosing seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearings is just one of the ways ship owners like Viking Ocean Cruises can ensure future compliance with any zero discharge legislation.
Thordon Bearings Inc. is the leading manufacturer of water lubricated propeller shaft bearings, grease-free rudder and deck equipment bearings, seals and other shaftline products for the global marine market. Recognized internationally for superior performance, Thordon Bearings has a worldwide customer service network in over 100 countries.