McKeil Marine installs oil- and grease-free bearings on upgraded laker

The major refurbishment of McKeil Marine’s Northern Venture bulk carrier has included steps to eliminate any oil and grease discharge into the Great Lakes.

Working with Thordon Bearings, McKeil Marine installed COMPAC water-lubricated propeller shaft bearings and SXL grease-free rudder bearings on the modernized vessel. “It’s part of our continuous commitment to our people, our customers and the communities in which we operate,” says Andy Vary, McKeil Marine’s director of Technical Operations.

McKeil Marine is a long-time customer of Thordon Bearings, a Green Marine partner. The world’s first Thordon water-lubricated propeller shaft bearing was installed on a Great Lakes tug owned by McKeil Marine in the late 1970s, which led to other Great Lakes vessel operators following suit.

The COMPAC propellor shaft bearing installed on the Northern Venture is made from a cross-linked polymer. Its low breakaway friction results in a smoother and quieter operation. The viscoelastic nature of the material also improves hydrodynamic performance which leads to the bearing lasting longer.

To promote the early formation of a hydrodynamic film between the propeller shaft and the bearing, the bearing’s lower (loaded) portion is smooth, while the upper half of the bearing has grooves to allow water lubricant/coolant to flow through. The design negates the need for a damage-prone aft seal.

“As an added environmental benefit, Thordon’s COMPAC system has been shown to lead to fuel savings and reduced emissions,” José Duarte, Thordon Bearing’s marine business development manager for North America, says. “Compared to oil-lubricated bearings, at rated shaft speeds viscous friction is lower with water.”