Thordon’s salt lugger solution
(Posted on 03/12/18)
Thordon Bearings has completed a range of water-lubricated and grease-free bearing installations to a third salt lugger in the Salinor/Navenor fleet, following the successful retrofitting of bearings to problematic newbuilds.
The Brazilian owner opted for the Thordon package following the rapid failure of the bronze and phenolic bearings supplied by a competitor to two newbuilds at the Manaus Shipyard delivered in 2015.
The salt carrier Nossa Sra. das Das Vitorias was retrofitted with Thordon’s SXL propeller shaft bearings after just three weeks of operation, while sistership Dona Zita was retrofitted with RiverTough shaft bearings and hardened steel liners in 2016.
José Fabio S. Camocardi, Managing Director, Thortech, Thordon Bearing’s São Paulo-based distributor, takes up the story.
“Salinor/Navenor’s dedicated carriers transport salt from mines located around the Northeast of Brazil area to discharge points offshore Brazil for loading on to larger ocean-going bulk carriers.
“Because these vessels operate in both inland rivers and coastal seas, the blue water bearings and liners originally supplied were not suitable for operation in dirtier waters, especially those with a high sand and silt content. They failed. We were contacted to find a solution, first for the Nossa Sra. das Das Vitorias and, later, Dona Zita. The bearing retrofits have now provided trouble-free operation in all types of water in which these vessels operate.”
Based on the success of the Thordon installations, Navenor approached Thortech to supply a complete shaft and rudder bearing and seal package for the newbuild shallow draught bulker Comandante Paschoal.
Rio de Janeiro’s São Miguel shipyard delivered the vessel in August 2018. The scope of supply comprised a pair of RiverTough propeller shaft bearings, NCB liners and three TG100 mechanical seals for shaft diameters of 135mm, Thordon SXL rudder bearings for rudder shaft diameters of 168mm, and grease-free ThorPlas-Blue bearings for the vessel’s tiller arms and rudder stocks.
Scott Groves, Thordon’s Regional Manager – Americas, said: “The customer had so many problems with the bearings supplied to the Nossa Sra. das Das Vitorias and Dona Zita that a completely new approach was required for the São Miguel newbuilds. Following the earlier retrofit installations we were able to win the customer’s confidence. In addition to the Comandante Paschoal installation, we have also been contracted to provide the full shaft line specification for a new salt carrier due for delivery next month. Thortech is also negotiating the supply of Thordon bearing solutions for a newbuild planned for 2019.”
Salinor Salinas do Nordeste S.A. is Brazil’s premier salt manufacturer, providing more than 40% of sea salt production in Brazil. Navenor, a Salinor company, is responsible for the transportation of Salinor’s sea salt.
Latest News
LR and Marshall Islands certify Helm CONNECT electronic record books
(Posted on 14/11/25)Helm Operations has announced that nine electronic record books within Helm CONNECT Logbook have been... Read more
Sailors’ Society launches increased support for Chinese seafarers
(Posted on 13/11/25)International maritime welfare charity Sailors’ Society has announced a significant expansion... Read more
NORDEN signs two-year contract with US wood pellet producer
(Posted on 10/11/25)NORDEN has signed a two-year Contract of Affreightment (COA) with Enviva to transport a significant... Read more
Algoma reports strong core results and continued fleet growth
(Posted on 10/11/25)Algoma Central Corporation has reported its results for the three and nine months ended 30 September... Read more
Damen unveils Combi Freighter 5000 ICE
(Posted on 10/11/25)Damen Shipyards Group has unveiled the latest platform in its successful cargo vessels portfolio. The... Read more
Wallem Group reaches a century in Hong Kong
(Posted on 04/11/25)Wallem Group, a leading global maritime partner, is celebrating the centenary of moving its headquarters... Read more
INTERCARGO celebrates record membership ahead of 45th Anniversary
(Posted on 04/11/25)The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) is marking its 45th anniversary in... Read more
NORDEN reports net profit of US$26m in Q3 2025
(Posted on 04/11/25)Net profit for the Group amounted to USD 26 million (DKK 166 million) in the third quarter of 2025,... Read more
ClassNK releases 'Guidelines for Onboard CO2 Capture and Storage Systems (Edition 2.0)'
(Posted on 04/11/25)ClassNK has released 'Guidelines for Onboard CO2 Capture and Storage Systems (Edition 2.0)' first in... Read more
InterManager urges Seafarer participation in Enclosed-Space Safety Survey
(Posted on 27/10/25)Following the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO’s) newly tightened rules on enclosed... Read more
