- “We anticipate increased interest for ThorPlas-Blue in this application,” confirmed Holmgren.
- There is a zero-grease requirement and wear rates improve dramatically.
- “The self-lubricating properties of the Thordon material mitigate against the risk of hatch cover failure due to bearing seizure, so you do see reduced repair and maintenance costs.”
The self-lubricating ThorPlas-Blue bearings Wilson Ship Management AS (“Wilson”) installed on the hatch cover wheels of several of its dry cargo vessels represent a relatively recent application for the polymer material developed by Thordon Bearings, as reported by Dry Cargo.
Dry dockings
After the success of the initial retrofit three years ago, Wilson, which operates Europe’s largest short sea fleet of roughly 130 general cargo vessels, has now transformed eight vessels.
The Wilson Wisla, which was purchased in 2019, was already using Thordon bearings in this application, but when Wilson learned it was Thordon, they ordered more for other Wilson vessels, according to Tommy Holmgren, Sales Director at Duwel Group, the company authorised to represent Thordon Bearings in Norway. Up to this point, we have refitted seven additional boats’ hatch cover wheels with ThorPlas-Blue bearings.
In 2020, Wilson Weser underwent retrofits, and in 2022, during scheduled dry dockings, Wilson Borg, Wilson Leith, Wilson Tees, Wilson Alster, Wilson Goole, and Wilson Monsoon underwent additional installations.
Significant and advantageous application
The ship manager is keeping a careful eye on performance, but thus far, the feedback has been quite favourable. ThorPlas-Blue will likely become more interested in this application, according to Holmgren.
ThorPlas-Blue is frequently used in ship deck gear including fairleads, winches, and lifeboat davit bearings, but because it can sustain much higher pressures, hatch cover bearings are seen to be a significant and advantageous application.
Wheel spindles, cleat spindles, hinge pins, hydraulic cylinder protective sheaths, cleat wedges, drive chain sprockets, toothed racks, and cylinder spherical bearings typically require at least once a month of adequate lubrication. To guarantee that hatch covers open and close smoothly and to prevent damage to cargo during loading and unloading, this time-consuming and filthy procedure is carried out. ThorPlas-Blue does away with the need for lubrication.
Maritime sustainability
Thordon Bearings’ environmentally conscious products are being specified as part of a range of solutions and steps to lessen the environmental impact of operations as maritime sustainability and responsible shipping is now high on the regulatory agenda. Thordon and its ThorPlas-Blue range of self-lubricating bearings will benefit significantly from this successful application, which will lead to new prospects.
ThorPlas-Blue was created as a low-maintenance alternative to bronze bearings for ship deck equipment, doing away with the requirement for oil. The elastomeric polymer material may take loads as high as 45MPa (6,527 psi), according to installation experience, although the material is only intended to tolerate pressures up to that level.
Economical and environmental gain
Technical Director for Thordon Bearings Anthony Hamilton stated that ship managers and operators gain economically and environmentally by using ThorPlas-Blue in place of conventional greased bronze bearings. Zero greases are necessary, and wear rates significantly decrease. You do see lower repair and maintenance expenses because of the self-lubricating qualities of the Thordon material, which lessen the likelihood of hatch cover failure owing to bearing seizes.
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Source: Dry Cargo
