Thordon Bearings' Compac to Keep Seaside Clean

MSC Cruises has specified Thordon Bearings’ COMPAC water-lubricated propeller shaft system for the first of two (plus option) Seaside-class cruise ships currently under construction at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone yard.

The 154,000grt twin-screw vessel, the largest cruise ship ever to be built by the Italian yard, will be equipped with six COMPAC bearings in bronze carriers with tapered keysets to fit 664mm shaft diameters.

Thordon’s Commercial Director, Andy Edwards said: “We are delighted to have won this order to supply COMPAC to MSC’s new state-of-the-art Seaside-class. The ship, developed entirely by Fincantieri, represents a genuine evolution of the cruise ship. Its structure, shape and systems suggest a cruising future that goes way beyond current environmental regulations and our water-lubricated propeller shaft bearing will help MSC towards achieving that goal. There will be zero oil leaking from the vessel’s shaft line.”

With a length of 323 meters, a width of 41 meters and capacity to accommodate 5,300 passengers and 1,413 crew members, the Seaside-class has been designed specifically for the U.S cruise market.

In addition to the environmentally compatible COMPAC system, MSC Seaside will feature advanced water treatment, waste heat recovery, exhaust gas scrubbing to reduce emissions, LED lighting, and optimized hull lines, propellers and rudders to reduce drag and fuel consumption by 25%. The ship is fully compliant with the Safe Return to Port requirement. 

“The cruise industry is a significant market for our seawater-lubricated propeller shaft technology, but other sectors are now ordering COMPAC for a number of commercial and technical reasons,” said Edwards.

“Seawater-lubricated propeller systems offer considerable advantages, not only in bearing wear life predictability and reliability, but they are also considerably cheaper to maintain, easier to install and there is absolutely zero risk of pollution.”

Thordon Bearings now supplies its COMPAC system with a 15-year propeller shaft bearing wear life guarantee, which is available for commercial newbuilds with shaft diameters of 300mm or more.

“I really don’t think any other propeller shaft seal and bearing manufacturer – whether oil or water-lubricated – offers shipowners such a commitment,” he said.

First steel was cut for the €700 million (766.5 million USD) MSC Seaside in June 2015 for a scheduled delivery in November 2017. A sister Seaside-class vessel will follow in May 2018.