T Mariotti Shipyard of Genoa, Italy has ordered Thordon seawater lubricated COMPAC propeller shaft bearing systems for two new 50,000GT cruise ship being built for Seabourn Cruise Lines, the Carnival Corporation luxury brand, for 2009 and 2010 delivery.  This will be the eleventh and twelfth Carnival Corp.-owned ship fitted with seawater lubricated COMPAC bearings since the first installation in 1998 on Grand Princess.

The COMPAC tapered key bearing system is similar to those supplied by Thordon to the ten other Carnival-owned ships.   “Water lubricated bearings are the present for many of our ships; I would like to see them for all of our future ships.  In the COMPAC bearing, clean seawater is pumped to the “A” bracket and the aft stern boss bearings as the lubricating medium and it flows through the bearings to the sea. No aft oil seal and no oil means lower in-service costs of the shaft line and, as important, no pollution worries. The added advantage is that the COMPAC tapered key system allows inspection of the bearing and shaft journal without pulling the shaft.    To date, our experience is that COMPAC bearings with Inconel journals will mean worry free shaft lines for the life of the vessel.” said Chris Joly, Principal Manager, Marine Engineering, Carnival Corporation & plc.   There are currently over 500 ships operating with pollution-free COMPAC propeller shaft bearings.

Thordon Bearings Inc. designs and manufactures a complete range of environmentally friendly propeller shaft, rudder and shaftline products for the global marine market. Recognized internationally for superior performance in marine applications, Thordon Bearings has a worldwide customer service network in over 70 countries.