SIMIC

CY Engineering, Thordon’s distributor in China, has completed the installation and commissioning of the Thordon scope of supply onboard X-Press Mekong and X-Press Pearl, the two Super Eco 2700 containerships built at China’s Zhoushan Changhong Shipyard.

Due for delivery later this year, the vessels were ordered in 2018 with options for an additional two plus two.

The vessels feature Thordon’s COMPAC propeller shaft bearings, bronze shaft liners, a Water Quality Package, ThorShield shaft protection coating and the company’s proprietary bearing condition monitoring system.

Commenting on the vessels’ green credentials, Thordon’s regional manager Sam Williams said: “With a hull form designed for maximum fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, the move away from an oil lubricated shaft to a more environmentally acceptable solution was a significant motivation.”

The X-Press Mekong and X-Press Pearl are the fourth and fifth ships of X-Press Feeders to be built based on the Super Eco 2700 design to use Thordon’s water lubricated system.

All the vessels in this series have been designed to meet DNV GL’s tailshaft monitoring notation TMON, which means a water lubricated shaft has the same extended shaft withdrawal inspection periods as an oil lubricated system. 

Terry McGowan, president and ceo of Thordon, said: “X-Press Feeders has a clearly defined set of environmental sustainability standards, so we are delighted it has incorporated COMPAC into the design and build of these super eco-friendly newbuilds. The first COMPAC newbuilds in the X-Press fleet is a further indication of the container shipping segment’s commitment to improving the ocean environment.”

Alex Li, managing director of CY Engineering, added: “The Zhoushan Changhong Shipyard is well equipped to install water-lubricated systems. The Thordon system is one of a number of environmentally sustainable solutions now widely adopted across Chinese yards to meet environmental sustainability goals. About 40 shipyards are experienced with the arrangement and are enthusiastic about the COMPAC system.”