Abstract No.F171126-021

Author name(s): Craig D. Carter

Company: Thordon Bearings Inc., Canada

Less than 5% of the world merchant fleet uses an open seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearing system. An open seawater lubricated propeller shaft system uses seawater as the lubrication medium in place of oil. Proven materials and new designs of non-metallic bearings now offer performance similar to oil lubricated metal shaft bearings with open seawater installations of more than 600 merchant vessels, ranging from cruise ships to tankers and containerships to workboats. This paper will look at the growing uptake of open seawater lubricated propeller shaft systems considering environmental, operational, regulatory and shipbuilding issues.

KEY WORDS: seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearing system; non-metallic bearing

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