Shell & ALSOC Specify Thor-Lube Bearing Systems for 3 LNG Newbuild Projects

For Immediate Release - June 14, 2002

Thordon Bearings Inc. of Canada recently received orders for environmentally friendly Thor-Lube sealed stern tube bearing systems for three LNG carrier newbuild projects in Korea and Japan. Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd ordered systems for two ships, one for Shell International Gas Limited and the second for the Australian LNG Ship Operating Co. (ALSOC). Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) of Japan ordered the third system for a second Shell newbuild. All three vessels are due to be delivered in 2004.

Thor-Lube is Thordon Bearing's environmentally friendly option to eliminate oil filled stern tubes comprising Thor-Lube lubricant, Thordon XL elastomeric bearings and a lubricant circulation and monitoring system. Water soluble Thor-Lube lubricant is biodegradable and leaves no sheen should leakage ever occur, eliminating the risk of pollution and associated fines. In the event of a seal failure and subsequent loss or contamination of lubricant, the system can be easily converted to operate on emergency seawater lubrication ensuring safe passage to port.