Fincantieri has ordered Thordon seawater lubricated COMPAC propeller shaft bearing systems for a new 116,000GT cruise ship being built for Princess Cruises at the Monfalcone Shipyard in Italy for 2008 delivery. This will be the tenth Carnival Corp.-owned ship fitted with seawater lubricated COMPAC bearings since the first installation in 1998 on Grand Princess.
The COMPAC tapered key bearing system is similar to those supplied by Thordon to the nine other Princess/P&O Cruises ships. “Seawater is pumped from the sea chest to the stern tube and strut bearings and exits from the bearing to the sea (there is no aft seal and no oil). The COMPAC tapered key system allows inspection of the bearing and shaft journal without withdrawing the shaft from the ship,” said John Shaw, Technical Director, Thordon Bearings Inc. There are currently over 500 ships operating with pollution-free COMPAC propeller shaft bearings.