The ideal solution for the tightening regulatory noose also brings a different (and welcome) shade of ‘green’ for workboat operators.

As the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA ramps up enforcement of regulations that mandate that all vessels over 24 meters (78 feet) operating in US waters must switch over to EALs in all oil-to-sea interfaces before their next drydocking, it is an arguably good time to be in the lubricants business. At the same time, Thordon Bearings, a manufacturer of seawater lubricated bearings for the marine industry has its own thoughts on that very topic. Specifically, Craig Carter, Thordon Bearings’ Director of Marketing and Customer Service, asks, “What is the point in shipowners investing in costly bio-lubricants when seawater is widely available and 100% free? It’s akin to paying for the very air we breathe.”



When used in conjunction with Thordon Bearings’ COMPAC propeller shaft bearing system, seawater lubricates the bearings to ensure the smooth, effective and safe operation of the vessel. Not only does As Thordon guarantees its seawater-lubricated COMPAC system for a wear life of fifteen years, it also reduces a vessel’s annual operating and maintenance costs substantially, compared to an EAL-lubricated metal bearing and two seal system. That much cannot be denied.



Arguably the premiere environmentally correct option, Thordon Bearings solve one (underwater) problem while improving another – the bottom line. That’s because recently published research into the operational costs of using mineral oil, approved EALs or seawater in a propeller shaft bearing system showed that EALs – vegetable oils, synthetic esters and polyalkylene glycols – are over 7 times more expensive than the mineral oils typically used in oil-lubricated propeller shaft bearing systems.



Thordon estimates that as much as 63 million U.S. gallons of operational oil lubricant are leaked into the oceans each year at a staggering cumulative cost to the operator, even without adding in any monetary penalties incurred by way of environmental fines.



Not everyone is sold on the concept, or the extra costs involved in installing seawater lubricated bearings. Better known in the blue water, international trades, Thordon bearings are available worldwide through over 75 agents and distributors. That said; there aren’t too many types of vessels or operating environments that Thordon can’t tackle, and certainly, momentum is building in the inland and fresh water markets – here and abroad. To that end, some recent installations auger well for a workboat sector that finds itself under pressure from a variety of regulatory and financial pressures.