Oceania Cruises Will Operate With Seawater Lubricated Thordon COMPAC Bearings

For Immediate Release - September 9, 2008

Fincantieri’s Sestre Ponente Shipyard in Genoa, Italy, has ordered Thordon seawater lubricated COMPAC propeller shaft bearing systems for two new 66,000 GT Oceania-Class cruise ships being built for Oceania Cruises for 2010 and 2011 delivery, with an option for a third ship.  Designed to cruise to all corners of the globe, the new ships will have zero risk of stern tube oil pollution and no aft seals, meaning lower maintenance costs.

With over 35 years of experience using the proven principles of water lubrication, Thordon’s COMPAC propeller shaft bearing system is a simple, reliable and oil free system. The Thordon COMPAC bearing system uses clean seawater as the lubrication medium and Thordon non-metallic COMPAC bearings in place of oil and white metal bearings. The seawater is taken from the sea, pumped through the bearings and returned to the sea. The added advantage is that the COMPAC bearing is split with a tapered key system that allows inspection of the bearing and shaft journal without pulling the shaft.  The performance of sea water lubricated COMPAC bearings to date has been comparable to oil lubricated white metal stern tube bearings. There are currently over 500 ships operating with pollution-free COMPAC propeller shaft bearings, including recent cruise ship orders from Princess Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line and Disney Cruises.