Thordon Bearings secured an order from Chantiers de l’Atlantique to supply its COMPAC seawater-lubricated propeller shaft bearings on two Accor Cruises’ ships, including the upcoming Orient Express which is scheduled for delivery in 2026.

Thordon Bearings will provide custom-made COMPAC seawater-lubricated bearings to fit propeller shafts with a diameter of 370mm (14.5 inches) on the twin screw vessel. 

Highlighting the significance of winning the tender, Neil McDonald, Thordon’s regional manager, Northern Europe and Africa, said: “For these environmentally focused vessels, an oil-lubricated propeller shaft bearing system was out of the question, and although Chantiers de l’Atlantique has experience with our COMPAC seawater-lubricated bearing system across its naval vessel newbuildings, we still had to go through a lengthy and complex tendering process. I believe we won over competing water-lubricated bearing suppliers due to our patience, reputation and, ultimately, a much better-performing product. Thordon’s COMPAC will contribute significantly to reducing the vessels’ environmental impact and maintenance costs.”

Benoît d’Alançon, director general, Wenex Equipment, Thordon Bearings’ authorized distributor in France, said: “The Orient Express Corinthian firmly nods to both the legendary liner of the 1930s and that cosmopolitan icon of train travel, but modern, more environmentally sustainable technology is at the heart of this ultra-modern ship. COMPAC strengthens Accor’s vision of what a zero-pollution passenger ship looks like.”